outside, and the tramping of feet.--"The game's
up!" cried one of the men with the blackened faces; "every one for
himself!" and a rush was made for the steps. But it was too late: a
strong guard of police fully armed had taken their stand at the top of
the stair, and escape was impossible, for there was no other outlet from
the vault. As each man emerged he was seized and handcuffed--all except
Foster, whose unblackened face told at once that he was not one of the
guilty party, and who was grasped warmly by the hand by Thomas Bradly
and James Barnes, who now came forward.

When the vault had been searched by the constables, and they had
ascertained that no one was still secreted there, the whole of the
prisoners were marched into the open court and placed in a row. The
sergeant, who had come with his men, then passed his lantern from face
to face. There was no mistake about Sharples; his false hair and beard
had become disarranged in the scuffle, and other marks of identification
were immediately observed. "Levi Sharples," said the sergeant, "you're
our prisoner--we've been looking out for you for a long time; you'll
have to come with us.--As for the rest of you, well, I think you won't
any of you forget this night; so you'd best get home as fast as you can
and wash your faces.--Constables, take the handcuffs off 'em."

No sooner was this done than the whole body of the conspirators vanished
in a moment, while the police proceeded to carry off their prisoner.
But before the officers were clear of the ruins, a strange moaning sound
startled all who remained behind. "Eh! What's that? Surely it ain't--
a--a--" exclaimed Jim Barnes, in great terror. The sergeant, who was
just leaving with his men, turned back. All stood silent, and then
there was distinctly heard again a deep groaning, as of one in pain.
"Lend a light here, Thomas," cried the sergeant to one of his
constables. All, except those who were guarding the prisoner, proceeded
in the direction from which the unearthly sounds came. "Have a care,"
cried Bradly; "there's some ugly holes hereabouts." Picking their way
carefully, they came at last to the mouth of an old well: it had been
long choked up to within a few feet of the top, but still it was an
awkward place to fall into.

There could now be no mistake; the groaning came from the old well, and
it was a human cry of distress. "Who's there?" cried the sergeant,
throwing his light down upon a wri