He had begun to suspect a plot.

In a moment he saw to the very depths of its cunning.

Here was a band of conspirators meeting in the darkness and speaking in disguised voices.

Probably no member had ever seen the face of another, and the betrayal of a name was, therefore, impossible.
Vergilius, now commander of the castle, heard with consternation of his part in the programme.

By some movement of the speaker's body an end of his girdle was flung against the hand of Vergilius.