The cellar seemed deserted, when he got there. It was pitch dark and it took several minutes for him to grow accustomed to the extreme darkness. Then he heard the faint murmur of voices.
Strong and Walker had slept fitfully and had been wide awake at various times. Strong had again been awakened and was insisting that Walker listen to him.
As Ted drew nearer, he heard Strong say, “I don’t think, the way I feel, I shall ever be able to move again. But if I knew that Ted was just the least bit successful I could be forever content.”
“The poor child—if he did anything at all,” Walker answered, “it would be wonderful. It’s a man’s job, what, then, could a boy do?”
As if in answer to the question, they heard a low voice call, “Mr. Strong, Mr. Strong!”
“Who is that?” the startled voice of Strong demanded.
“It’s me, Ted!” said that ungrammatical young man, a bit excitedly.
TED FREES THE PRISONERS
“God bless you, boy. Is it really you? Have you a match?”