Saying this, he put on a black velvet mask, and walked up to the prison door.
It was open.
He walked in quietly.
Two officers lay on benches before the fire, snoring loudly.
They did not hear his footsteps.
Ned looked around quickly to ascertain in which of the several cells Bob Bertram was confined.
He knew not which.
Presently, however, he saw two eyes peering between the iron bars, and from the hard breathing of the prisoner he felt sure it was Bob.
Ned made a sign which Bob understood, and then approached the prisoner.
“Those are the keys hanging up behind the door,” said Bob, in a soft whisper; “but be careful, Ned, or you will awake them.”