The fellow stared at him again, seized hold of him, and felt him all over in the roughest way. Then, satisfied that the weapon was not concealed about the lad’s person, he looked round the place once more, walked to the side of the room so as to get a view of the window-ledge, and then he turned to Hilary once more.
“When did you drop it out?” he said sharply.
“As soon as I awoke this morning,” replied Hilary. “Just before you came.”
“Come along, my lads,” said the fellow, who then withdrew with his followers. The door clanged to, was locked, and as Hilary listened he heard them all depart, securing the farther door behind them; and, satisfied that they were gone, he nimbly climbed up to the window, raised the cutlass by means of the worsted, and having taking it in he descended once more, unfastened and rolled up the thread for further use, and then thrust the weapon down under his vest and into the left leg of his trousers, feeling pretty sure that they would not search him again.
A few minutes later he heard voices, and going beneath the window, and raising himself up till his ear was level with the ledge, he could hear all that was said, and he knew that the men were searching for the sword.
“Don’t seem to be about here,” said one of the men.
“Look well,” Hilary heard Allstone say.
“That’s just what we are doing. Think he did throw it over?”
“Must have done so,” said Allstone; “there isn’t a place anywhere big enough to hide a knife.”
“Then some one’s been by this morning and picked it up,” said one of the men, “for it don’t seem to be anywhere here.”