Both gave “a long pull, a strong pull, and a pull altogether.” At first there was no result, then of a sudden the iron ring broke from the door. The cadets were not prepared for this, and over both went backwards. Pepper landed on the lantern, knocking it over and breaking the glass and bending the top. Fortunately the light went out, so there was no danger of fire.
“Wow!” spluttered the mischievous youth, as he rolled over. “Oh, what luck!”
“Are you hurt?” questioned the young major quickly. “Did the glass cut you?”
“I guess not, but I’ve got some of it in my jacket, Jack. I didn’t think the ring would break away like that; did you?”
“No.”
The broken glass had scattered all over the floor and the belfry was now dark excepting for the light from the moon that shone in the window.
“Got a match?” asked Jack, after a brief pause, during which he searched his pockets in vain for what he wanted.
His chum felt in first one pocket and then another.
“Nary a one,” he answered. “But what’s the use anyway? The lantern is busted, we can’t use it.”
“We might get a little light.”