“You miserable wretch!” interrupt Henry. “You know you are telling a falsehood.” He turned to the officer of the guard. “As a matter of fact, he came to me and wanted me to go into his dirty game——”
“Stop!” interrupted the officer of the guard. “We will examine into the details of this later. Men, make a search, and see if any other thieves are about. But don’t let either of these men get away.”
At once two of the soldiers stood guard over Henry and Prent, while the others scattered through the cellar, which was long and narrow. They had but two lanterns, both small, so the search was made under difficulties.
As one of the guardsmen reached the back end of the cellar there was a slight scraping sound, followed by the fall of a trap door. The men started forward to investigate, but could see nobody.
“What was that, Jameson?”
“Flog me, if I know, Lowder. Somebody went through a door, I think.”
“Exactly my notion. But where is the door?”
It was not long before they found the door, a small, heavy oaken affair, leading to a shaft-like opening, dark and dismal. A lantern was brought forward and on the damp ground the footprints of a man could be seen plainly.
“Another thief, and he has escaped!” cried the officer of the guard.
The officer sent three men into the passageway, the leader with one of the lanterns. They were gone the best part of ten minutes, and when they returned they reported that the passageway led to the cellar of a house on the next street.