Hurrying to the window, the lad looked anxiously out and down upon the smoke-house as it was called.
To his delight he saw nothing different in its appearance from what it was when he left it a few moments before.
It followed, therefore, that the lion was within, as indeed was proven by the sounds which reached the ears of the listening lad.
But was the little structure strong enough to hold him? When he broke through his own cage with such ease, would he find any difficulty in making his way out of this place?
These were the questions our hero asked himself, and which he could not answer as he wished.
While the walls of the little building were strong and secure, yet the door was an ordinary one of wood, fastened by a common iron latch and catch, supplemented by a padlock whenever Michael Heyland chose to take the trouble; but the door was as secure against the animal within with the simple latch in place as it was with the addition of the lock, for it was not to be expected that he would attempt to force his way out in any manner other than by flinging himself against the door itself whenever he should become tired of his restraint.
After a while all became still within the smoke-house, and it must have been that the unconscious captive, having gorged himself, had lain down for a good sleep.
Fred Sheldon was all excitement and hope, for he felt that if the creature could be kept well supplied with food, he was likely to remain content with his quarters for a considerable time.
Tired and worn out, the boy finally lay down on his bed and slept till morning. The moment his eyes were open, he arose and looked out. The smoke-house showed no signs of disturbance, the door remaining latched as it was the night before.
"He's there yet," exclaimed the delighted boy, hurriedly donning his clothes and going down the stairs in three jumps.