rry.

"Have you been able to speak to the sentinel?" he asked.

"I have seen him, and made all the necessary arrangements," Harry
replied.

"And when will we leave," Alfred asked.

"To-night at twelve is the time fixed between us," he replied. "The
fellow appeared unwilling at first, but a little persuasion with a
sight at the watch and money, was too much for his nature, and he
yielded to my wishes."

"Then everything goes on well, if the fellow does not play us false,"
Alfred remarked.

"That is a risk we are bound to run," replied Harry. "I think the
fellow means to be honest, if a man can be honest who agrees to allow
a prisoner to escape, who is placed under his charge."

"Did you inform him there were two of us who desired to leave," asked
Alfred.

"Yes," was the reply; "I would never have bothered to escape and run
the risk of re-capture and harsh treatment, did not you desire to
leave this place, and the trip could as well be made with you as
otherwise."

Alfred pressed his friend's hand warmly, as he replied. "Thank you,
Harry, I trust I will be able to return the kindness you have shown
me, at some future and more favorable time."

"Poh, poh!" he replied. "Don't speak of it. The kindness has been paid
for long ago," pointing to his wound as he spoke.

"I expect we may as well make preparations to leave," remarked Alfred,
after a moment's pause.

"Preparations!" echoed his friend, "What in the name of all that is
glorious, do you require any preparations for?" and then, he added
dryly, "there is one thing certain, my trunk (?) is already packed,
although I don't know if yours is."

"A truce to joking about trunks," replied Alfred, "but seriously you
must be aware that we cannot leave here without being dressed in
citizens clothes."

"The thunder!" exclaimed Harry, "are you going to raise any more
objections?"

"No," he replied, "but it is absolutely necessary that we shall be
apparelled in different clothes to those of a soldier."

"I think we can get a couple of suits to borrow from the officers, but
how I will get them, without their knowing our intention to escape, is
a matter of much difficulty. If they should once know it, the whole
crowd will desire to leave with us."

"That would be unreasonable on their part," replied Alfred. "They must
be aware that every man cannot get away at the same time, and to
desire or attempt such a thing would be to ensure the re-capture of
every man."