recrow in these clothes, and so dishevelled, that they took
me for some farm hand or village lout, and let me pass. But in a
little while they will be asking questions of the farmer, there'll be a
hue and cry, and they'll know that one of the prisoners who escaped has
been close to them. We must move. That comfortable little spot, which
sounds so inviting, is out of the question. Let's pick up our clothes
and make a dash into the open. It looks to me almost as if we should
have to swim the river again, for there are two bloodhounds with the
party I accosted, and they may easily trace us."

Pulling on their still damp clothing as rapidly as they could, they
sent Jules first of all to the bottom of the staircase, to make sure
that there was no sign of the farmer or his visitors; then Henri and
Stuart each picked up a basket, and, stealing down into the yard, made
their way out of it, and, skirting the house, gained the highway.
Pressing along it, walking at a rapid rate, they pushed on during the
hours of darkness, and just as the light began to grow, seeing some
buildings away to their right, turned off along a country lane which
led towards them, and presently discovered themselves to be close to a
sugar factory, at one end of which a water-tower was erected.
Carefully looking around them, to make sure that no one was about, they
sought for a door, and, entering a yard round which buildings were
erected, presently discovered a wide door which was unbolted. Entering
without hesitation, and closing it after them, they found themselves in
a huge apartment with bins on every side, with overhead shafts and
pulleys. At the far end a staircase led to another floor, and,
ascending that, they found themselves in an apartment of similar
dimensions, the floor space of which was occupied by machines of
various patterns. At the far end, where the tower was erected, there
was another doorway, and passing through it they clambered up the steep
stone stairs, which finally led them to a small room at the top, above
which was an iron-girdered ceiling supporting a huge water-tank, to
which supplies were pumped no doubt from the river. Having groped
their way in the semi-darkness to this spot, they barred the door of
the room by driving a wedge in above the latch, and then, thoroughly
tired out after their long tramp and their adventures of the previous
day and night, they lay down to sleep, careless almost of the
consequences.