"Yes, sir," assented Masin. "That is a good idea. Shall I go down and kill him now, sir?"
"Not yet," Malipieri answered, knocking the ash from his cigar. "We have not finished smoking, and there is no hurry. Besides, it occurs to me that if we drive anything into the hole when the water runs out, we shall not be able to get the plug away afterwards. Then we ourselves could never get here again."
A long silence followed. From time to time Masin made a little noise with the drill.
"Perhaps the fellow is asleep," he observed pleasantly at last. "So much the better, he will wake in Paradise!"
"It is of no use to run any risks," said Malipieri. "If we go down to kill him he may kill one of us first, especially if he has a revolver. There is no hurry, I tell you. Do you happen to know how long it takes to starve a man to death?"
"Without water, a man cannot live a week, sir. That is the best idea you have had yet."
"Yes. We will wall him up in the vault. That is easy enough. Those boards that are over the shaft will do to make a little frame, and the stones are all here, just as we got them out. We can fasten up the frame with ends of rope."
"We have no mortar, sir."
"Mud will do as well for such a small job," answered Malipieri. "We can easily make enough. Give me your iron, in case he tries to get out, and go and get the boards and the rope."
Masin began to rise.