Neither of the boys replied.
“Very well then,” said the colonel, rising; “I will leave you to yourselves for the night. Perhaps in the morning you will have a different story to tell.”
“You are going to leave us here?” asked Oliver.
“Yes; unless you tell all I want to know.”
“I will tell nothing.”
“Then good-night to you. There is no use trying to escape. Even if you manage to get up here again, I shall take pains to close the passage in such a way that you cannot get out.” And, with another loud laugh, Colonel Mendix took up his lantern and disappeared, leaving the two boys in total darkness.
“Crickety, but we are in a pretty mess and no mistake!” said Gus, as the last ray of light left them.
“You are right; but don’t let us despair,” returned Oliver. “I think I did what was right; but it is rough on you.”
“Don’t mind me,” said Gus. “I owe you a good deal. The question is, what is best to be done?”