ly. For the
sixth time the letter was written and despatched at the moment the
footsteps were coming down the street. Once more the tiny animal crawled
into the pipe, and once more the message disappeared upon its journey.

Another day was spent in anxious waiting, but this time we were not
destined to be disappointed. About eight o'clock that night, just as we
were giving up hope, I detected a faint noise near my feet; it was for
all the world as if some one were forcing a stick through a hole in a
brick wall. I informed Beckenham of the fact in a whisper, and then put
my head down to listen. Yes, there was the sound again. Oh, if only I
had a match! But it was no use wishing for what was impossible, so I put
my hand down to the pipe. _It was moving!_ It turned in my hand, moved
to and fro for a brief space and then disappeared from my grasp
entirely; next moment it had left the room. A few seconds later
something cold was thrust into my hand, _and from its rough edge I knew
it to be a file_. I drew it out as if it were made of gold and thrust it
into my pocket. A piece of string was attached to it, and the reason of
this I was at first at some loss to account for. But a moment's
reflection told me that it was to assist in the fulfilment of our share
of the bargain. So, taking a five-pound note from the secret pocket in
which I carried my paper money, I tied the string to it, and it was
instantly withdrawn. A minute could not have elapsed before I was at
work upon the staple of my collar, and in less than half an hour it was
filed through and the iron was off my neck.

If I tried for a year I could not make you understand what a relief it
was to me to stand upright. I stretched myself again and again, and then
crossed the room on tip-toe in the dark to where the Marquis lay.

"You are free," he whispered, clutching and shaking my hand. "Oh, thank
God!"

"Hush! Put down your head and let me get to work upon your collar before
you say anything more."

As I was able this time to get at my work standing up, it was not very
long before Beckenham was as free as I was. He rose to his feet with a
great sigh of relief, and we shook hands warmly in the dark.

"Now," I said, leading him towards the door, "we will make our escape,
and I pity the man who attempts to stop us."

CHAPTER IX

DR. NIKOLA PERMITS US A FREE PASSAGE

The old saying, "Don't count your chickens before they're hatched," is
as good a warning