icated this lamp?"

"Nothing more simple, monsieur; I asked for a bell, which was given me,
then I saved some oil from my breakfasts and dinners, till I had a
bottle full; I made wicks by unraveling one of my handkerchiefs; I
picked up a pebble when I was walking in the yard; I made some tinder
with burned linen; I stole some matches when I dined at the governor's:
then I struck a light with a knife, which I possess; and with the aid of
which I made the hole through which we correspond."

"Receive my compliments, monsieur, you are a man of great invention."

"Thank you, monsieur; will you now see what book has been sent you, and
what is written on the paper of the pot of sweetmeats."

"Monsieur, the book is a Virgil."

"That is it--she promised it to me," cried the voice, in an accent of
happiness which surprised the chevalier, who could not understand that a
Virgil should be so impatiently expected.

"Now," said the prisoner with the bell, "pass on, I beg, to the pot of
sweetmeats."

"Willingly," said Gaston, and he read:

"MONSIEUR LE CHEVALIER--I hear from the lieutenant of
the prison that you occupy the room on the first floor,
which has a window immediately below mine. Prisoners
should aid and help each other; eat the sweetmeats, and
pass the Virgil up to the Chevalier Dumesnil, whose
chimney looks into the court."

"That is what is expected," said the prisoner with the bell; "I was told
at dinner to-day that I should receive this message."

"Then you are the Chevalier Dumesnil?"

"Yes, monsieur, and your humble servant."

"I am yours," replied Gaston, "I have to thank you for a pot of
sweetmeats, and I shall not forget my obligation."

"In that case, monsieur," replied the prisoner, "have the kindness to
detach the bell, and fasten on the Virgil instead."

"But if you have not the light, you cannot read."

"Oh, I will make another lantern."

Gaston, who trusted to his neighbor's ingenuity, after the proofs he had
had of it, made no further difficulties; he took the bell, which he
placed in the neck of an empty bottle, and fastened on the Virgil,
conscientiously replacing a letter which fell from between the leaves.

"Thank you, monsieur," said Dumesnil; "and now, if you will reply to
your neighbor below?"

"You give me liberty?"

"Yes, monsieur; though presently I shall make an appeal to your good
nature."

"At your orders, monsieur; you say, then, that for t