“Yes.”
“Where?”
“I don’t know. The two countrymen slipped a bar out of the cell door and they’re gone, too!”
Fierce exclamations filled the room. Van hurled the unfortunate keeper to the floor.
“You cursed traitorous dog!” he yelled, drawing a knife. “I’ll kill you for this!”
He flung himself forward and that moment might indeed have been the keeper’s last.
But Scraggs forced the ruffian back.
“Hold on!” he growled. “Hear the man’s story first. I’ve always found him true.”
“Oh, I swear it!” cried Isaac. “I left the door securely barred. Come and see for yourself. They were asleep before I left them.”
“Come on then, you dog!” hissed Van. “If I find you’ve lied, you shall die!”