t minute a couple of small screw-drivers were passed up--part of
the furniture of his gun.

Cole worked hard, but silently, for about an hour, and then he whispered
down that he should be able to get a bar out. But how high was it from
the ground?

"About forty feet."

Coventry heard the man actually groan at the intelligence.

"Let yourself down on my window-sill. I can find you rope enough for
that."

"What, d'ye take me for a bird, that can light of a gate?"

"But the sill is solid stone, and full a foot wide."

"Say ye so, lad? Then luck is o' my side. Send up rope."

The rope was sent up, and presently was fast to something above and
dangled down a little past the window-sill.

"Put out a light on sill," whispered the voice above.

"I will."

Then there was a long silence, during which Coventry's blood ran cold.

As nothing further occurred, he whispered, "What is the matter?"

"My stomach fails me. Send me up a drop of brandy, will ye? Eh, man, but
this is queer work."

"I can't get it up to you; you must drink it here. Come, think! It will
be five years' penal servitude if you don't."

"Is the rope long enough?"

"Plenty for that."

Then there was another awful silence.

By-and-by a man's legs came dangling down, and Cole landed on the sill,
still holding tight by the rope. He swung down on the sill, and slid
into the room, perspiring and white with fear.

Coventry gave him some brandy directly,--Cole's trembling hand sent it
flying down his throat, and the two men stared at each ether.

"Why, it is a gentleman!"

"Yes."

"And do you really mean to see me clear?"

"Drink a little more brandy, and recover yourself, and then I'll tell
you."

When the man was fortified and ready for fresh exertions, Coventry told
him he must try and slip out of the house at the front door: he would
lend him a feather and some oil to apply to the bolts if necessary.

When the plan of operation was settled, Coventry asked him how long it
would take him to get to Hillsborough.

"I can run it in two hours."

"Then if I give the alarm in an hour and a half, it won't hurt."

"Give me that start and you may send bloodhounds on my heels, they'll
never catch me."

"Now take off your shoes."

While he was taking them off, Cole eyed his unexpected friend very
keenly, and took stock of all his features.

When he was ready, Coventry opened his door very carefully, and placed a
light so as to be of some u