In the meantime the search went on, and presently the hollow sound given by the slab in the wall was noticed.

The spring could not be discovered, but crowbars and hammers being brought, the slab of stone was presently shivered.

The discovery of the iron door behind it further heightened their suspicion that the place of concealment was found.

The door, after a prolonged resistance, was battered in.

But the Roundheads were filled with fury, on entering, to discover only a small, bare cell, with no signs of occupation whatever.