It had one thick stone upright in the middle, leaving such a narrow
space as only a boy could creep through. He examined the opening quickly
and carefully while the light remained, and when Miss Anne returned to
the door he whispered again through the keyhole, 'Don't be afraid. It's
me--Stephen; I'm coming in through the pantry window.'
He knew his danger. He knew if any of the robbers came up they must hear
him removing the wooden lattice which was laid over the opening; and
unless they supposed it to be one of their accomplices at work, he would
be at once in their power, exposed to their ill-treatment, or perhaps
suffer death at their hands. And would Miss Anne within trust to him
instead of alarming the master? If he came down and opened the door, all
the designs of the evil men would be hastened and finished before Martha
could return from Longville. But Stephen did not listen, nor did his
fingers tremble over their work, though there was a rush of thoughts and
fears through his brain. He tore away the lattice as quickly and quietly
as he could, and, with one keen glance round at the dark night, he
thrust his head through the narrow frame.
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