“Will you show me the way out.”
“Nor no ham? You must be hungry!”
“You scoundrel!” cried Archy, who was exasperated almost beyond bearing. “Show me the way out.”
“Oh, very well, this way, then. Hold him tight, Jemmy.”
“Ay, ay, lad!”
“This way, my grand officer without your fine clothes,” said Ram tauntingly, as he held down the lanthorn to show the rough stone floor. “Mind how you put your feet, and take care. Why don’t you come?”
Archy made a start forward, but he was tightly held.
“Why don’t you come, youngster?” cried Ram mockingly, as he held the lanthorn more closely. “There, now then, mind how you come.”
Whang!
The dull sound was followed by a faint clatter, and all was black darkness again, for raging with hunger and annoyance as the boy was, tightly held, the light down just in front of him, without any warning Archy drew back slightly, delivered one quick, sharp kick full at the lanthorn, and it flew right away into the darkness.