“I can realize the necessity of haste,” declared Harding, a strange light in his face, “and now I will tell you something. I have considered the situation from every angle and I believe that I have found a plan that promises success.”
“You have?” exclaimed Chester eagerly.
“Yes,” said Harding, “and now that the necessity has become so urgent we shall make the attempt to-morrow.”
Hal and Chester stifled their joy in subdued exclamations of delight.
CHAPTER XXI
THE ESCAPE
The rest of the day was spent in discussing the plan of escape; and that night Hal and Chester slept well in spite of the fact that they were compelled to stretch out on the hard floor and that there were no blankets nor other clothing to keep out the early morning chill.
As upon their first day in the mines, they were aroused before daylight and marched to the shaft. It was still dark when they again found themselves below and at work.
Hal and Chester put forth their best efforts from the first, for they did not wish to draw the attention of the guards to them particularly and thus interfere with Harding’s plans.
It was just eleven o’clock when Harding lowered his pick and turned to the nearest guard.
“Bad spot here, sir,” he said. “Gas. It’s dangerous.”