nd then slide down and bolt.

"Now, you must go down first."

"No, master," Meinik said firmly; "I will light the train. I do not
think that there is any danger but, whether there is or not, I
shall undertake it. If I am killed, it does not matter; while if
you were killed all would be lost for, if the explosion did not
burst the stone, I am sure that we should never be able to get
through it, without you to direct us. No, master, if you stay, I
stay; and that would only lessen our chances of running down the
steps in time."

Stanley argued, and even ordered, but Meinik was obstinate and,
seeing that the faithful Burman was not to be moved, he reluctantly
left the matter in his hands, and went downstairs. He moved a short
distance along the ledge, and waited. The time seemed an age to
him, so that he gave an exclamation of delight when Meinik suddenly
came into sight, and took his place beside him.

"I have lit the train, master. The powder fizzed up, but did not
seem to burn very fast."

It was, indeed, another two minutes before a deep muffled roar was
heard. There was no further noise, but they heard shouts from the
Burmans, behind the stockades.

"They will be wondering what the sound is," Stanley said, "but they
will not be able to tell from what direction it came; for I expect
they were pretty nearly all sound asleep. Now, let us go up and see
the result."

They made their way up the steps, which were now in entire
darkness. The curtain still hung in its place, some ten feet below
the obstacle. They lit a torch, from the embers in the pan; and
then Stanley climbed up into the passage, and hastily crawled
along.

He gave a cry of satisfaction, as he approached the end. The
explosion had been completely successful--the end of the block lay
on the ground. Whether the whole of it had been blown off, or not,
he could not see; but he felt sure that the greater portion must
have split off. It was evident that it would take a considerable
amount of time, and would require the strength of several men, to
get the block out. They therefore descended, at once, to gladden
the hearts of those below; with the news that the way out was now
available to them, whenever they chose to leave.

Harry manifested no surprise, whatever, at the news.

"I made sure that you would succeed, Stanley. After getting me off,
as you did; and making your own escape, before, it seems to me that
you have got hold of the 'open sesame' o