ext supply,
they find this still uneaten, they may suspect that something is amiss,
and remove us to another cell, or even separate us; either of which
happenings would put an end for good and all to our chances of escape.
Besides, we can talk as we are eating. Come, Roger, wake up, man, and
fall to! Eat as much as you can, for we shall need all our strength to
go through with what is before us."

Roger saw the wisdom of Harry's argument, and, replacing the food on the
table, whence it had fallen in their eagerness to read the message, they
set to, and very soon demolished the whole of it, replacing the platter,
as usual, when they had finished, by the side of the trap, to be removed
when the next meal was put in.

"Now," remarked Harry, "let us resume our discussion of this strange
business, Roger. So far as I can see, the matter stands--Hullo! what's
that? Did you hear that, Roger?" he suddenly interjected.

"Yes," replied Roger, "I did. What can it be, I wonder?"

There had come a slight sound from the direction of the grating, as of
some hard substance striking against the iron bars.

Both lads hurried to the grating, and glanced up at it; but they could
see nothing to account for the sound.

"This is most remarkable," said Harry. "I heard the sound quite
plainly. It was just like two pieces of iron striking together; and it
sounded in the cell itself, or just outside the grating. Jump up on my
shoulders again, Roger, and see if you can see anything or anybody
about."

Harry bent his back, and helped Roger to climb up on his shoulders. And
Roger had just drawn himself upright with his face reaching to the level
of the grating, when he uttered a suppressed exclamation, and half-fell,
half-slid down to the floor from his perch, and started vigorously
rubbing his cheek.

"Whatever is the matter with you, Roger?" ejaculated Harry somewhat
crossly; "you nearly broke my back coming down like that." Then, as he
saw Roger rubbing his face, his tone changed, and he enquired anxiously,
"What is it, old fellow; are you hurt?"

"No; not much, that is," rejoined his friend. "Just as I got my head up
level with the grating, and was going to look out, something hit me on
the cheek with considerable force, and, losing my balance, I came
tumbling down. I am sorry if I hurt you, Harry, old lad."

As he finished speaking, both caught the sound of quick and stealthy
footsteps retreating across the courtyard belo