e are sleepy that
haven't much on their minds. The warder that came down the passage
wasn't likely to be asleep, but he might have made it up in his mind
that all was right, and not taken as much notice as usual. This was what
we trusted to. Besides, we had got a few five-pound notes smuggled in
to us; and though I wouldn't say that we were able to bribe any of the
gaolers, we didn't do ourselves any harm in one or two little ways by
throwing a few sovereigns about.

I did just as I was told by the Frenchman, and I opened the cell door as
easy as a wooden latch. I had to shut it again for fear the warder would
see it and begin to search and sound the alarm at once. Just as I'd done
this he came down the passage. I had only time to crouch down in the
shadow when he passed me. That was right; now he would not be back for
half-an-hour.

I crawled and scrambled, and crept along like a snake until little by
little I got to the gate through the last wall but one. The lock here
was not so easy as the cell door, and took me more time. While I stood
there I was in a regular tremble with fright, thinking some one might
come up, and all my chance would be gone. After a bit the lock gave way,
and I found myself in the outer yard. I went over to the wall and
crept along it till I came to one of the angles. There I was to meet
Starlight. He was not there, and he was to bring some spikes to climb
the wall with, and a rope, with two or three other things.

I waited and waited for half-an-hour, which seemed a month. What was
I to do if he didn't come? I could not climb the thirty-foot wall by
myself. One had to be cautious, too, for there were towers at short
distances along the wall; in every one of these a warder, armed with
a rifle, which he was sure to empty at any one that looked like
gaol-breaking. I began to think he had made a mistake in the night.
Then, that he had been discovered and caught the moment he tried to
get out of the cell. I was sure to be caught if he was prevented from
coming; and shutting up would be harder to bear than ever.

Then I heard a man's step coming up softly; I knew it was Starlight. I
knew his step, and thought I would always tell it from a thousand other
men's; it was so light and firm, so quick and free. Even in a prison it
was different from other men's; and I remembered everything he had ever
said about walking and running, both of which he was wonderfully good
at.

He was just as cool as ev