ay is up the chimney."

"Good heavens! up the chimney?"

"Yes; listen! Our cells communicate by slanting flues, and above the
junction rises a brick chimney, which is amply wide enough for our
bodies. At present it has bars across it, but my friend--who, by the
way, is now my servant--will help me to remove them. Fortunately, a
shot has cut the chimney off short, and I noticed before coming in that
the drop from the top to the roof is not very great."

"And what do you intend doing once you get out?" asked the wounded
officer. "Remember you are in the fortifications, and the Russians are
as thick as peas all round."

"We must make for the harbour, if possible, and in any case we must
chance it. I have been thinking it over this morning; and that is the
only way out that I can see. Of course if we cannot get down to the
shore and secure a boat, we must creep out between the forts and bolt
for our lives. That would be a desperate undertaking."

Both were thoughtful and silent for a moment.

"Now I think I had better return," said Phil. "Be prepared at any time,
for the sooner we are away the better. Our lives are never safe while
Stackanoff has us in his power."

He grasped McNeil's hand and crept into the chimney.

That night, when all was quiet in the cells, and only the distant
booming of the English mortars, and the louder crash of their exploding
shells, broke the silence, Phil and Tony crept into the chimney, leaving
Pierre breathing heavily on his bed.

Phil climbed to the angle and helped Tony to reach his side. Then,
taking it in turn, they stood on one another's shoulders, and wrenched
at the bars.

They were more solidly-wedged than had at first seemed likely, but the
shell which had struck the stack had cracked the brickwork below, and
this lessened the difficulty of their task. It was terribly hot work,
however, and by the time two heavy bars had been wrenched free they were
exhausted.

"We'll jam the loose bars here," said Phil in a whisper. "Who knows
when we shall want weapons with which to defend ourselves!"

Tony chuckled. "You're a cool hand," he laughed. "Who'd have thought
of all this if it hadn't been for you. Now all's plain sailing, and I
prophesies complete success. Ah, if only that chap Stackanoff would get
in my way I'd smash him into a jelly!"

Cautioning him to keep quiet, for both were by now still more doubtful
of the cringing Pierre, they slipped down to the