Then I knew that I had to hear the worst, and made ready for it.

Witred the Mercian told it quietly.
"This passage runs under the ramparts, and ends in a thicket on the steep by the river.

I knew that there were old stones in that, but not one of us knew of the passage.

That end has been newly opened, and the tools with which it was done are there yet.

A man sat by that entrance on guard outside, and as I came I spoke to him by name and told him who I was.