e colonel up here to see you," answered Tom. "That would be
much better, for you can have no idea of the set of ruffians you would
have to meet in the lower prison, and I am very sure that the colonel
would not allow you to be among them."

All sorts of schemes were discussed. The chief hope was that they might
work on the feelings of the gaoler's wife, who was evidently well
disposed towards them. They had been talking for some time when,
hearing footsteps coming along the passage, the midshipmen hurried back
to their own room. Instead of the gaoler, however, as the door opened,
a party of soldiers with fixed bayonets appeared.

"What can these fellows want?" exclaimed Archy.

The soldiers forthwith marched into the room, and, without speaking,
began to fasten the midshipmen's arms behind them.

"This doesn't look pleasant," cried Tom. "I say, you fellows, what are
you about?"

The soldiers made no reply, but continued lashing their aims.

Four, in the meantime, had walked up to the corner where they expected
to find the other prisoners; their astonishment was very great when they
found instead only some heaps of straw. They talked for a minute
together, casting looks at Tom and Archy which betokened no good-will.
One of them having gone out came back with the gaoler, who began
questioning them, though, as they scarcely understood a word he said,
they were not very well able to give lucid replies. They, of course,
guessed, however, that he was making inquiries as to what had become of
their companions.

"They will be back soon, I dare say," said Tom. "If you will let us
wait till then we shall be much obliged to you."

"Non intende," answered the gaoler.

"Not in ten days!" exclaimed Tom, even at that moment unable to refrain
from a joke.

The gaoler, not being a bit the wiser for Tom's reply, began to stamp
and rave, and then repeated his questions in a louder voice, expecting
that by so doing he should elicit an answer. At last, he and four of
the soldiers went into Miss O'Regan's room, and while two of them
cross-questioned her and Polly as to what had become of the missing
prisoners, the others searched the room in the hopes of discovering
them. Their answers did not satisfy the men, for, like true women,
having determined that they would not say what had become of their
friends, nothing could induce them to acknowledge that they knew
anything about the matter. Fortunately, the soldiers did n