On tiptoe Wildfire Ned took down the keys, and approached Bob’s cell.
He passed them through to Bob, and while he was turning the bolt of the lock Wildfire Ned stood over the two sleeping officers, pistol in hand.
“If they should wake up while Bob is getting out, these two little bulldogs will keep them quiet,” thought Ned.
He had not thus stood guard over the two slumberers many minutes ere Bob Bertram was free.
“Fly,” said Ned, “towards the Hall; you’ll find the horses waiting for us on the roadside near the finger posts.”
Young Bertram had scarcely quitted the prison ere the two officers awoke.
They opened their eyes very slowly, but when they discovered the young man in the mask standing over them, pistol in hand, they rolled their eyes, and gaped in astonishment and wonder.
“Oh, lors!”
“Who are you?”
“Put down them pistols.”