ng at the breach in the wall. "Some one
_must_ have assisted him. Unless he has dealings with the devil, he
could never have done this alone."

"I firmly believe he _has_ dealings with the devil," replied Austin,
trembling from head to foot. "But, perhaps, he has not got beyond the
room above. It's as strong, if not stronger, than this. I'll see."

So saying, he scrambled over the rubbish, and got into the chimney. But
though the breach was large enough to admit him below, he could not
squeeze his bulky person through the aperture into the Red Room.

"I believe he's gone," he said, returning to Jonathan. "The door's open,
and the room empty."

"You believe--you _know_ it," replied Jonathan, fixing one of his
sternest and most searching glances upon him. "Nothing you can say to
the contrary will convince me that you have not been accessory to his
flight."

"I, Sir!--I swear----"

"Tush!" interrupted Jonathan, harshly. "I shall state my suspicions to
the governor. Come down with me to the Lodge directly. All further
examinations must be conducted in the presence of proper witnesses."

With these words, he strode out of the room, darted down the stone
stairs, and, on his arrival at the Lodge, seized the rope of the great
bell communicating with the interior of the prison, which he rang
violently. As this was never done, except in some case of great
emergency, the application was instantly answered by all the other
turnkeys, by Marvel, the four partners, and Mrs. Spurling. Nothing could
exceed the dismay of these personages when they learnt why they had
been summoned. All seemed infected with Austin's terrors except Mrs.
Spurling, who did not dare to exhibit her satisfaction otherwise than by
privately pinching the arm of her expected husband.

Headed by Jonathan, all the turnkeys then repaired to the upper part of
the jail, and, approaching the Red Room by a circuitous route, several
doors were unlocked, and they came upon the scene of Jack's exploits.
Stopping before each door, they took up the plates of the locks,
examined the ponderous bolts, and were struck with the utmost
astonishment at what they beheld.

Arriving at the chapel, their wonder increased. All the jailers declared
it utterly impossible he could have accomplished his astonishing task
unaided; but who had lent him assistance was a question they were unable
to answer. Proceeding to the entry to the Lower Leads, they came to the
two strong doors,