He accordingly remained quiet for upwards of an hour.

During this time the attendants had entered and extinguished the lights, as the guests would not return to the council chamber.
He now left his hiding place and made his way to the door which separated him from the banqueting hall.

Listening intently at the keyhole, he heard the clinking of glasses and the sound of voices loudly raised, and he guessed that the revelry was at its height.

More and more noisy did it become, for Marshal Illo was plying his guests with wine in order that they might sign without examination the document which he had prepared for their signatures.

Feeling confident that none would hear him in the state at which they had now arrived, Malcolm cautiously opened the door an inch or two, and was able to hear and see all that passed.
It was another hour before Marshal Illo produced the document and passed it round for signature.