last over to-morrow, and then they
won't be able to signal the news of the prisoner's escape. It is only in
clear weather that the semaphores can be made out from hill to hill."

The goods were changed from the pedlar's basket to the one Will had
brought.

"There, then, is the hundred pounds I promised you; I hope you are
perfectly satisfied?"

"Perfectly, sir; it is the best two days' work I have ever done."

"Now for my clothes," Will said; and no one being in sight he quickly
changed into the clothes the pedlar had brought.

"We are more alike than ever," the man said with a laugh, "but you will
have to remember that I walk with a limp. I got a ball in my leg in the
fighting at Trinidad, and was discharged as being unfit for service. But I
got a small pension, and the right to sell things to the prisoners in
Porchester Castle."

"I noticed the limp when I saw you first," Will said, "and there will be
no great difficulty in copying it. I regarded it as rather fortunate, as
when the soldiers see me limp along they will not look farther."

"Well, sir, I wish you luck. You are the freest-handed gentleman I ever
came across."

Will hid his own clothes in a neighbouring bush, and then started,
imitating the pedlar's limp so exactly that the man laughed as he looked
after him before starting for Fairham.

There were few people in the streets of the quiet little village as Will
passed through it. When he neared the castle he overtook the fat
apple-woman, who hailed him as a friend, and they walked together into the
castle. They showed their passes to the guard at the gate, but he scarcely
looked at them. They then separated, and Will, stopping now and then to
sell small articles, made his way at last to Lucien's hut. He had in his
letter informed Lucien of his reasons for trying to get him free, and had
directed him to be leaning at that hour against the corner of the hut.
When Lucien saw the pedlar approaching, if all was clear he was to retire
into it, but if there were others inside he was to shake his head
slightly. As Will approached the hut he saw a prisoner standing there
according to his instructions, but he gave the danger signal and Will
passed on. This he did twice, but when Will returned the third time the
man went quietly into the hut.

"There is not a moment to lose," Will said as he followed, and he at once
lifted up the false bottom and pulled out the rope and grapnel. He had
knotted the rope abo