"We must move, Jacques, and that quickly; you have heard that the gates
are shut."
"Yes, master, people are talking of nothing else."
"I have news that there will be trouble to-night, so we must set to work
at once to place the chests in safety. First let them clear out the wood-
cellar."
This was done in a few minutes by the seven men, then Jacques told the
others to go back into the shop and pack up all the silver goods in the
chests. As soon as they were gone Jacques looked inquiringly at his
master, who nodded. Then he touched a brick in the wall some seven feet
above the floor; it sprung back.
"Will you lift me up?" the man said to Guy. The lad did as he was asked,
and the man thrust his arm into the orifice. A moment later he asked Guy
to set him down.
"Go to the doorway," he said, and hurried across to where Maitre Leroux
was standing; then kneeling down he pushed his hand under the sill of the
doorway and then stood up.
"Do you hear that?" the silversmith said.
"I hear a dull rumbling somewhere," Guy replied. As he spoke he saw half
the floor, which was apparently of solid flags, beginning to rise.
"This was done in my father's time," Maitre Leroux said, "and it was made
for him by Maitre Lepelletiere's father with the aid of two or three good
smiths, who put the machinery together at his house and were in ignorance
where it was intended to be placed."
The trap-door was now raised, and Guy to his astonishment saw a stream of
running water three feet below the opening.
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