hed the heavy door opening
into the great archway through this tower. Here we paused for a moment
whilst I asked Michael concerning the portcullis.

"It was up, sor, whin Oi intered."

"Then all is well. Now be careful, Michael, and watch me for any
signal I may give thee; for on thee now depend our chances of success."

Then, with hands trembling with excitement, I at last found the proper
key and inserted it in the lock. Then, with apparent carelessness, I
flung the door wide open and strode forth, Michael following. At this
very moment a soldier, as though on guard, marched with measured step
along the arch-topped way. As he heard the door swing open he halted
and, turning, watched us in the dim light cast by the flickering torch
overhead. To hesitate for but an instant meant failure and certain
death. Adopting Michael's plan I whistled softly an air that came by
inspiration to my mind, and at the same time closed the door again and
locked it with a great show of care. Then taking Michael by the arm I
walked leisurely along, swinging the great ring of keys and whistling
as I went.

Ah! my children, ye know not how trying was that indifferent walk. How
sore was I tempted to break into a run, in a mad effort to leave that
awful place behind me. But then, had I done so, I had not lived to see
the setting of another sun. As we passed beneath the great portcullis
I glanced back to where we had left the sentry. He was still standing
beneath the light and gazing after us. No doubt he wondered who we
were; but my apparent confidence and ease of manner re-assured him; for
as we turned to our left to pass the round tower which adjoins the one
in which I had been confined, he shouldered his pole-axe and resumed
his lonely tramp.

"Two difficulties safely past," I whispered. "Now, Michael, have a
great care and let not the soldier at the breach make the faintest
sound."

"Oi'll do moy bist, sor," and I felt sure he would. Then we came to
the short inner wall that runneth from the tower of St. Thomas back
unto the square tower that we had just left.

As is ever the case, when one is in great haste, I tried every key but
one depending from the ring, and still the great gate remained closed,
none of them mating the lock. When I came to this last key a sudden
horror came over me as I thought of the possibility of the whole affair
being a trap to raise my hopes in the belief that I was about to
escape, and th