about as harmless as a kitten in a cage. As a
matter of fact, it is very nearly what we must do finally, for I am not
counting to take to my heels through yonder passage, leaving him behind
free to give word to the lobster backs that we are somewhere in the
town, or striving to get out of it. We are in such a box, lads, that it
would be worse than useless to hesitate at anything which promises,
however slightly, to aid us," and now Hiram spoke in a grave tone, as
does one who speculates upon some hazardous venture. "We shall not be
able to leave this place without having a tussle with Master Lord, and
no one can say how soon that may be necessary, therefore I hold to it we
are warranted in taking many chances, if so be we are working toward the
end that we set ourselves when leaving Cambridge. Even though we may not
hold this place as a refuge eight and forty hours before the trick is
discovered, then have we gained just so much time."

I could think of no argument against this plan of Hiram's, ponder over
it as I might. We were in desperate straits, and all of us knew full
well that the danger would not be so great when Master Lord had
discovered that we had a means of escape, providing we could hold him
prisoner, than if he remained in ignorance of our purpose and at liberty
to set the lobster backs on us whenever he chose.

"The only thing against your plan, Hiram, is that which you yourself
have confessed," Archie said thoughtfully. "The difficulty of concealing
the mouth of the tunnel after one of us has made his way through it."

"Aye, there's the rub, lad; but it strikes me that 'twixt the four of
us, seeing's how we have all got some share of common-sense, we ought to
be able to overcome that trouble in course of time. I cannot say just
now what way it may be done; but we will hit upon an idea lads, we'll
hit upon an idea."

It may seem that this slight change in the situation was not so
favorable to our enterprise as to warrant very much in the way of
rejoicing, and yet I felt more nearly light-hearted after Hiram was at
an end of explaining what he had done, and how the tunnel might be made
to serve us, than at any time since I left Cambridge, although I am
bound to confess we were no nearer accomplishing our purpose because of
this secret passage, than before. In fact, we had simply succeeded in
entering the town, and then plunged ourselves into greater difficulties
than ever, therefore it is possible the