Wyatt jogged along easily in a straight line to where he knew the other opening of the tunnel to be. When he reached the place he repeated his actions of a few moments earlier, securing another stout rope to the stake by the hole. Then he dropped to his stomach in the thick grass and laid his head on one forearm several inches from the large hole. He would easily be able to hear Roth as he passed beneath, but he would be out of sight even if Roth did look up as he went under the opening. When Roth had passed out of earshot he would throw down the rope and lower himself into the tunnel; there he would prevent anyone from reaching and capturing Justin. He was so intent on listening for noise from the tunnel and going over the plan that he didn’t hear the approaching footsteps until they were almost upon him. He hadn’t even time to wonder who it was, before he heard one of Roth’s men exclaim, “Ho, what have we here? If it isn’t our apple thief.” Wyatt turned just in time to see the hands coming down to grab his arms, pull him up and hold him fast. He thrashed like a wild animal trying to free itself, but his captors had gotten a firm hold and he couldn’t loosen it. He thought of Justin ahead in the tunnel, and how there would be no one to prevent him getting caught. This made him struggle harder, but the men only held him tighter. The one who had spoken before said, “Let’s hurry back with him. We may be able to catch the lord before he leaves for the stargazer’s wood,” and though he resisted, they began to drag him in the direction of the manor.
The Old Book Reopened – Chapter 21
