We will wedge the door from behind, and can then sleep secure against a surprise." When the door was closed one of the men, who was a musketeer, struck some sparks from a flint and steel on to a slow match which he carried in his jerkin, and by its glow they were enabled to look around them.
The stone steps began to ascend close to the door, and by laying the stones between the bottom step and the door they wedged the latter firmly in its place.

They then ascended the stairs, and found themselves in a room some ten feet square, in which hung the bell which had called the village to prayers.

It hung from some beams which were covered with a boarded floor, and a rough ladder led to a trapdoor, showing that there was another room above.

The floor of the room in which they stood was of stone.
"Now, lads," Malcolm said, "two of you make your way up that ladder and rip up some of the planks of the flooring.

See if there are any windows or loopholes in the chamber above, and if so stuff your jerkins into them; we will close up those here.