e
in here!

[Goes hurriedly to the straw, then to mattress, then dashes
into the other room.

Hop. Escaped! Impossible! Why not you?

[Re-enter Bill, runs to door on left, then into hall, crying,
"Escaped prisoner! Guard!" The prison bell begins to ring.

[Enter Bill, followed by four men with rifles, carrying lanterns.

Bill (rushes to Gordon in a rage). Whar's that fellow gone? Tell
me, or I'll--

[Starts to strike him.

Winth. You'll be kicked out of this prison--(To guards) Search
the rooms. He may be hiding (to Gordon). For God's sake man, where has
he gone?

[Gordon has come to the mattress, where he half kneels, watching
the others.

Gordon (in a low voice). No.

[Re-enter the guard, followed by the rest of the prisoners,
much excited. They talk in low voices to one another.

Hop. (coming forward with the lantern). Hello! What's this? Fresh
earth on the floor. Here, men. Quick!

[They snatch away the mattress, disclosing the round hole in the
floor.

Winth. He's gone.

Hop. (bending down). Where does this lead?

Winth. The drain pipe underneath the prison. Here, men, to the
entrance on the river bank. Two of you wait to watch in here.

[Exit two of the guard and Bill.

Hop. What do you think it means?

Winth. That their plan has been successful.

Hop. (in an agony). Hillary had important news, but what--what
can he have found out?

Winth. (turns to Gordon, almost pleading). Have you nothing for
us to hear?

Gordon. Nothing.

Winth. Tell me, man. Ah, tell me why. You came into this of your
own free choice, I can see that. You came that you might save him. That
was not all. He had information. Then, that was it. Well, sir, the fight
is on. You've won so far.

[A sudden radiant look of joy comes over Gordon's face.

Gordon. I pray God you are not mistaken.

[Re-enter Bill and the guards.

Bill. He's gone, whether by boat or horse we can't tell. We have
a guard stationed at the river.

Winth. Very good. You may wait outside.

[Exit the two men.

Send the men back to the room.

Bill. Git back to bed, all of ye!

[The men go back to room (Right)