Escape Attempt

My immediate concern is for Baras's safety. "Did you ask Lukas to dispose of Baras, then?" I ask in response to what Salley has told me, fearing that Baras could be taking his last breath at this very moment.

"No. I needed to chew over what Lukas had told me first, and to decide what I wanted to do. I will go and talk to Lukas and Ulrich now, to see about the termination of your friend. I'll be back in an hour at the most. Don't go away."

That was presumably intended as a joke. He has been getting dressed while we talk. Now he goes out, and I hear him locking the very substantial door behind him. I grab the handle and try pulling it and shaking it. Then I try shoulder charging the door, but I quickly realise that it is hopeless. I have to find a way out, though, and quickly, if I'm to be in time to warn Baras.

I look over at the window. We're on the top - third - floor, at least twenty feet above the ground, and it obviously didn't occur to Salley that I - a "kept woman" - could possibly get out that way. I'm going to have to attempt it, though.

I hurriedly get dressed - at least my scanty attire means that it doesn't take me very long. Then I open the window, take the oil lamp from the bedside table, and lean out into the rain that is still pouring down.

I can't see anything such as a pipe or creeper that will help me to climb down. It looks as though I will have to resort to tying the sheets together. I do that as quickly as I can, and then move a table over to just below the window and tie one end to it. I hope that my knots will hold. I also hope that my improvised rope will be long enough. The illumination from the lamp doesn't extend down far enough for me to tell if it reaches the ground.

I start climbing down.

1. I reach the ground safely.
2. I reach the end of the rope still, judging by the dimly glimpsed windows that I have passed, some ten feet off the ground. I let go, letting my legs go limp and hoping for the best.
3. I hear a voice from below shout: "Hey, you!" Someone entering or leaving the inn, evidently with good night vision, has seen me. Friend or foe?

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