eared from the tower itself; but that might have been accounted
for by the supposition that there were no windows in the sides towards
them, and did not prove that the tower was uninhabited. The appearance
of the light, moreover, made it probable that the persons seen by the
trader were still there.

An hour or more passed, when Dick suggested that, as it was important to
make their survey before the moon rose, it was time to get to the foot
of the tower, and there judge what was to be done. So, still keeping
under the shelter of the trees, they crept round to the further side of
the building, on which the tower was situated, in order that they might
get up to it without being seen by any one on the watch in the temple
itself. A sentry posted on the top of the tower might have discovered
them if he was awake and on the lookout; but they must of necessity run
the risk of that--hoping, should one be there, to take him by surprise,
and gag him before he could give the alarm. In the manner described
they reached the foot of the tower,--as they hoped, without being
observed by any one. They examined it as far as the darkness would
allow; but neither a door nor a window was to be discovered. The
stucco, however, with which it had formerly been covered, had in many
places fallen out. Accustomed to climbing as Dick was, he confessed
that even a cat would have a difficulty in reaching the top without
other means than her claws. However, of this they felt sure--that _no_
sentry was posted on the top of the tower; and that the chambers inside
must either be lighted from the top or by very narrow loopholes.

"I have it, though," whispered Dick. "Just let me get a score or two of
pegs: I will fix them one above another in those holes in the wall
without making any noise; and then, by giving a turn with a rope round
each of them, they will be kept all together--so that we may get to the
top without the risk of breaking our necks."

Reginald at once agreed to Dick's proposal. It was the only way,
indeed, by which they could hope to succeed. Next they all crept
silently round the building, examining every portion in the hope of
finding some loophole or aperture into which one of them might climb if
such a place existed, and, if possible, to draw off the attention of the
garrison while Reginald and Dick were lowering the ranee from the tower.
There were apparently doors, but they were firmly closed; and the
windows, and the