The very thought was maddening, and again he essayed to reach the top of the vat.
It was utterly useless.
"The building must be deserted," he said to himself. "And I suppose it is too far to the street for any one to hear my call."
Five minutes passed. Hal was getting weaker fast. Oh, how his head ached!
Filled with something akin to desperation, Hal cried out again, this time at the very top of his lungs. A deep and profound silence followed.
"It's no use," he thought. "This is some old building that no one will visit all winter. I suppose Ferris and that Macklin think——"
He held his breath. What was that sound overhead?
He strained his ears. Yes, it was footsteps!
"Help! help! Come down in the cellar!" he cried.
Again and again his voice rang out, and the footsteps came closer. Then his heart seemed to stop beating. Supposing it should be Ferris or Macklin returning?