ted a hollow sound. He worked
away in consequence, to remove it, and great was his satisfaction to
find beneath a hole of some size. He was now able to labour with more
confidence. In a short time he had removed the stone from the wall,
giving him an aperture of sufficient size to pass through. The earth
beyond was soft. And now he dug and dug away, following up the hole in
the pavement. He was afraid sometimes that his hands covered with earth
might betray him, but the gaoler's lantern was dim, and he managed
always to conceal them as much as possible when the man entered.

At length he felt sure from the height he had worked that he was near
the surface of the earth on the outside. He now feared lest it might
fall in during the daytime, and this made him hesitate about working
except during the hours of the night. He had saved up as many crusts of
bread as his pockets would hold, in order, should it become necessary
for him to lie concealed for any length of time, that he might have
wherewith to support life. And now the time arrived when he believed
that he should be able to extricate himself altogether. He waited till
the gaoler had paid his last visit, and then watched anxiously till the
thickening gloom in his cell showed him that night was approaching. He
had all along of course worked in darkness, so that it being night made
no difference to him. He now dug away bravely, and as he had not to
carry the earth into the hole, he made great progress. At length,
working with his chisel above his head, he felt it pierce through the
ground. Greater caution was therefore necessary, lest the falling earth
should make a noise.

The fresh air which came down restored his strength, and in a few
minutes he was able to lift himself out of the hole. He did not,
however, venture to stand up, but lying his length on the ground, gazed
around him. The dark walls of the old castle rose up on one side. On
the other, at the bottom of a steep bank, was the moat, partly filled
up, however, with rubbish. Beyond, another bank had to be climbed, and
beyond that again was the wild open country, the castle being just
outside the walls of the town. He quickly formed his plan.

Slowly crawling on, he slid down the bank, and then stopped to see what
course he should take. There appeared to be no sentries on the watch on
that side of the castle, it being supposed probably that escape of any
prisoners was impossible. He was