'TWIXT CUP AND LIP.
Another instant and Hilary must have been discovered; but just then the
trampling of feet was heard, a shout or two, and Allstone said gruffly:
"Let the nets alone, and come and get the stuff down."
The man dropped the nets, and taking up his candle, which he had placed
upon a chest, followed Allstone back along the narrow passage between
the piled-up tubs and packages, and once more Hilary was left in
comparative darkness, to lie there dripping with perspiration, and
hesitating as to what he should do next, for if he stayed where he was,
it was probable that the men would come back to remove the nets. If, on
the other hand, he attempted to move, the chances were that he would be
heard. In short he dare not move, for the slightest rustle would be
sure to take their attention.
And so he lay there in an extremely uncomfortable position, watching the
shadows cast upon the dingy ceiling, as the distorted heads and
shoulders of the men were seen moving to and fro. Sometimes he could
distinguish what they carried, whether it was bale or tub, and upon
which shoulder it was carried, till by degrees, as he found that he was
not discovered, his thoughts began to turn upon what a grand haul the
crew of the _Kestrel_ could make in the way of prize-money if he only
had the good fortune to escape, and could find his way back to the
shore.
There must have been at least six carts unloaded by slow degrees, and
their contents brought down into that vault before Allstone, who was at
the head of the steps leading down, suddenly shouted:
"That's all. Look alive up."
"Ay, ay, we're coming," was the reply, and Hilary heard the men drag a
case of some kind a little way along the floor with a loud scratching
noise.
"I don't like leaving those nets," said the one who had been round. "We
don't want 'em now, but the time may come when we shall be glad to go
drifting again. What are you doing?"
"Only got a handful of this 'bacco, my boy. I don't see any fun in
buying it where there's hundredweights down here."
"Bring me a handful too."
Hilary could resist the temptation no longer, and rising softly, he
peered over the piled-up boxes and tubs to get a better view of the
place, and make out where the door of exit lay. This he ascertained at
a glance, and likewise obtained a pretty good idea of the shape and
extent of the vault before the men took up their candles to go.
Now was the critical moment. Would they raise their eyes and see where
there was a stone missing in the ceiling? A few moments would decide
it, and so excited was Hilary now that he could not refrain from
watching the men, though the act was excessively dangerous, and if they
had turned their heads in his direction they must have seen him.
But they did not turn their heads as it happened, but went by within a
yard of where the young officer was concealed. Then he saw them mount
some broad rugged old steps beneath a little archway, whose stones were
covered with chisel-marks; there was a Rembrandtish effect as they
turned round the winding stair, and then there was the clang of a heavy
door, and darkness reigned once more in the vault, for Hilary was alone.
For a few minutes he dared not stir for fear that some one or other of
the men might return; but as the time wore on, and he could only hear
the sounds of talking in a distant muffled way, he descended from his
awkward position, reached the stone floor, and feeling his way along
reached the opening through which the men had come, and then stumbling
two or three times, and barely saving himself from falling, he found his
way to where they had been at work, for his hand came in contact with
one of the rough candlesticks thick with grease.
Sure thus far, he was not long in finding the doorway, where he stood
listening to dull sounds from above, and then crept back a little way so
as to be able to retreat in case the men were coming back, and touching
a keg with his foot he sat down upon it to think.
If the door at the top of the stairs was locked he would be no better
off than in the chapel, for it was not likely that there would be a
window to this place, so that if he meant to escape he felt that it
would be better not to leave it to daylight; though, on the other hand,
if he did leave it to daybreak, and the door was unfastened, he would
have an admirable opportunity of getting away, for by that time the men
would have done their night's work, and would probably be fast asleep.
"It is of no use for me to play the coward," said Hilary to himself at
last. "If I am to get away it must be by a bold dash."
He burst out into a hearty fit of silent laughter here.
"My word, what a game it would be!" he said. "They say the place is
haunted. Suppose I cover myself with fishing-nets and march straight
out."
"Wouldn't do!" he said, decidedly. "They would not be such noodles as
to be frightened, and they would pop at me with their pistols."
Meanwhile there was a good deal of talking going on up above, and at
last, unable to restrain his curiosity longer, Hilary returned to the
foot of the steps, felt the wall on either side, and began softly to
ascend, counting the steps as he went, and calculating that there would
be about twelve.
He was quite right, and as he wound round and neared the top he found
that there were rays of light coming beneath the door and through the
keyhole, while the sound of voices came much plainer.
Going down on hands and knees, he was able to peer under the door, which
shut right upon the top step; and after a few seconds he had pretty well
ascertained his position.
He was looking under a door right at the end of a long stone-paved
passage, and there was another door just upon his right, which evidently
led into his prison; while straight before him, through an opening he
could see into a large stone-paved kitchen where the talking was going
on, the back of one man being visible as he seemed to be seated upon a
stool, and changed his position from time to time.
The next thing to ascertain was whether the door was unfastened; and he
was about to rise and try, when the familiar sound of steps upon a
boarded floor fell upon his ear, a door that he had not hitherto seen
was opened, and Allstone, Sir Henry, and the sharp-looking captain of
the lugger passed before him, and, entering the lit-up kitchen, were
lost to sight.
There was a louder burst of talking just now, and as it seemed a
favourable opportunity Hilary rose to his feet, passed his hand up the
side of the door, and touched the great solid hinges. Trying the other
side he was more successful, for his hand came in contact with a huge
latch which rattled softly at his touch, and set his heart beating
heavily.
He paused for a few moments before he tried again, when, proceeding more
carefully, he found that the latch rose easily enough; and then as he
drew the door towards him it yielded slowly from its great weight; but
there was the fact--the way was open for escape, and the place before
him was clear.
There was nothing to do then but wait, and he was in the act of closing
the door and lowering the latch when he heard Sir Henry's voice
speaking, and directly after steps in the passage.
"Allstone has the keys," said a voice Hilary recognised as that of Sir
Henry; "will you go and see him now?"
"Look here, Sir Henry," was whispered, "you must get him on our side.
The boy would be invaluable. With such an ally on board the cutter we
need never fear a surprise."
"You are thinking of your smuggling ventures," said Sir Henry
contemptuously.
"I was thinking as much of your despatches. Why, you could have run
them across in safety then. Come, Sir Henry, we won't quarrel about
that. He'll be useful to both. Shall I go and see him? I'll wager
I'll soon bully or bribe him into agreement."
"You don't know your man," said Sir Henry.
"Or boy," laughed the skipper.
"Give me time and I'll win him," said Sir Henry.
"That's what I can't give you," was the reply. "It isn't safe having
prisoners here. Suppose the boy escapes. How long should we be before
he brings a couple of dozen fellows from the cutter, if they've got so
many; and then where shall we be?"
"Do you think he could hear what we say?" asked Sir Henry in so low a
voice that Hilary had hard work to catch the words.
"Bah! not he. That door's six inches thick," said the skipper. "No,
Sir Henry, there is no time to lose, and we must win him over, unless
you'd rather--"
Hilary could not catch the end of what was said, but he suspected what
was meant, as he heard Sir Henry utter a sharp exclamation full of
anger.
"Leave it till to-morrow, and I think I can bring him to our wishes."
"That is what you said last time, Sir Henry," replied the skipper
insolently. "Here, Allstone, give me the key and I'll soon bring the
springald to reason."
There was a clink of metal, a step forward, and Hilary's heart sank
within him, for the discovery of his evasion was a matter of course.