Part 7 (1/2)
”Some one trying to make hole in wall.”
”Rubbish.”
”Fact.”
”Must be a fool.”
Will did not attempt further to convince this doubting Thomas, but listened hopefully to the continuous scratching. It went on for hours, and by and by, as it seemed to be coming nearer, he thought of pa.s.sing his hand over the surface of the brickwork. It touched, just below him, the point of a sharp instrument, and he discovered that the whole of the mortar above two bricks had been sc.r.a.ped away. He wished that he could have helped his unknown friend, but he had neither knife nor any other implement. The knowledge that some one was trying to release him kept him awake all that night, and he perspired with anxiety lest when morning came the work should be discovered. But the sentry did not approach the wall. The day seemed to drag terribly, even though he slept a good part of it. Never in his life had he been so eager for night to come.
Before the next dawn there was a gap in the wall almost large enough for him to crawl through. He bent down to it, and spoke in a whisper; but the only answer was the thrusting back of the bricks into their place.
Hearing the Chief grunting in the next box, Will resolved to acquaint him with the progress the unknown worker had made.
”There's hole in wall nearly big enough to squeeze through.”
”Honest Injun?”
”Yes. One more night's work will finish it.”
”Who's doing it?”
”Don't know. Shall I ask him to make one for you?”
The Chief did not immediately reply.
”Shall I?”
”I've been thinking. No.”
”Why not?”
”We'd want four. Take a fortnight.”
”Couldn't we overpower sentry and all get away through this hole?”
”No: too risky. Fellow outside would hear scuffle. Certain to. Sure you can get out?”
”To-morrow or next day.”
”Make for hydroplane. Less risk for one. Go to Bolivar and get help if you can. Most likely you can't.”
”Pity we can't tell others. They don't understand code.”
”They'll know soon enough. There'll be a fine hullabaloo when the sentry misses you. Don't go without saying good-bye.”
In the middle of the next night Will found that the opening was large enough to admit his body. He tapped on the part.i.tion. There was no answer. He tapped again: still no answer. The Chief was asleep.
Fearing to let his chance slip, Will determined to go at once. Slowly and cautiously he wriggled through to the outside. A dark form was crouching among the weeds close to the opening. It gave a low grunt as Will appeared. Azito rose from his kneeling posture and began to move away, creeping like a shadow along the wall. Will stole after him.
CHAPTER VII--CARABAnO'S PLANS