the night they kept up a constant sentry duty, not that they
really expected anything to happen, but just because it seemed to be
better on the safe side--a case of rather be safe then be sorry. Morning
came, and they prepared their breakfast. They did not dare to stir from
the camp, for there was no telling at what moment they might get a
message from Phil, telling them that their help was needed.

* * * * *

Despite the fact that he was worried, Phil slept the normal sleep of a
healthy boy, awaking in the morning both hungry and thirsty. He
immediately secured the iron tipped stick that he had fashioned the
night before, and took his place at the door, ready to strike down
whoever entered, and make a dash for liberty. Nearly two hours elapsed,
and the strain was beginning to tell upon him, when he heard a sound of
shuffling footsteps outside the door. Grasping his club firmly in his
hand, he prepared to act, but to his keen disappointment, however, the
door was opened only an inch or two, and he heard LeBlanc's voice,
bidding him out. Through the crack of the door, he could see LeBlanc's
form, and immediately in back of him, that of the big restaurant keeper.

He made no response for a moment, and suddenly the door was thrown open,
and LeBlanc and the proprietor came rushing in. LeBlanc seemed to be
possessed of second sight, for he seemed to know that Phil had
contemplated an attack on whoever came in the room, and he foiled this
by rushing at Phil, jamming him close to the wall, and making it
impossible for him to raise his club, much less than to use it.

"Aha, mon brave would fight would he? I thought so, and came prepared to
care for you. We will see that he has nothing left to fight with."

Bidding his companion in French remove the cot, LeBlanc cast a hasty
glance around the room to see if anything was left that by any artifice
whatsoever could be converted into a weapon. Phil had carelessly thrown
the blanket over the hole that he had made on the floor, and in a fold
had tucked away the piece of candle.

LeBlanc paid no attention to the blanket, seeming to think that with the
cot broken the boy had slept on the floor. The table and the empty
bottle that had served as a candlestick were removed, and then food and
water was brought to him and left there.

"Tonight I am ver' busy, but tomorrow you shall be taken from here in a
trunk, and you shall be dropped in the river. How