hey do, they will see that I've got
this thing tucked in here."

Quickly taking out the worsted he secured it to the cutlass, and
lowering it once more out of the window, tied the thread to the bar.

"It's safest there, I'll be bound," he muttered; and he had hardly made
his arrangements for concealment when he heard the steps coming, and
began walking up and down as the door was opened, and, staring at him
doubtfully, Allstone came in with two men bearing some breakfast for the
prisoner, while their leader went round Hilary again, searchingly noting
every fold of his garments before once more withdrawing.

"He must have seen it if I had it on," said Hilary, as he once more
found himself alone, when he eagerly attacked the provisions that had
been left.

After satisfying his hunger, he was a good deal divided in his mind as
to what to do about the weapon, which might prove to be so valuable an
implement in his attempt to escape. If left outside and searched for
again, the smugglers must find it; but the chances were that they would
not go and look again, so he decided to leave it where it was.

The morning wore on without a single incident to take his attention, and
he spent the time in examining the floor of his prison, giving a tap
here and a tap there, and noting where it sounded most hollow.

It was a long task, but he had plenty of time upon his hands, and he at
last decided that he would make his attack upon a small stone in the
corner by the wall which contained the window, that was not only the
darkest place, the light seeming to pass over it, but there was a
hollower echo when he struck the stone, from which he hoped that the
slab was thinner than the rest.

He drove the knife in all round and found that it passed in without
difficulty; and as he examined the place, he found to his great delight
that some time or other there had evidently been a staple let into the
slab, probably to hold a great ring for raising the stone, and
undoubtedly this was a way down to the vaults below.

What he wanted now was a good supply of straw to lay over that part of
the floor to conceal any efforts he might make for raising the stone,
and meanwhile dusting some of the ashes and half-burned straw-chaff over
the spot, he awaited Allstone's next appearance with no little anxiety.

Towards afternoon he heard steps, and evidently his jailer was coming;
but to his surprise, instead of Allstone being accompanied by two or
t