“Turn over that long grass,” said Allstone, “and kick those weeds aside.”
Hilary heard the rustling sounds made by the men as they obeyed their leader; but of course there was no result.
“Somebody come by and picked it up,” said the man again; and, apparently satisfied, the party went away, Hilary raising his eyes, saw the smugglers go round the corner of the house below the ivied gable, leaving him wondering whether they would come back.
“They may,” he thought; “and if they do, they will see that I’ve got this thing tucked in here.”
Quickly taking out the worsted he secured it to the cutlass, and lowering it once more out of the window, tied the thread to the bar.
“It’s safest there, I’ll be bound,” he muttered; and he had hardly made his arrangements for concealment when he heard the steps coming, and began walking up and down as the door was opened, and, staring at him doubtfully, Allstone came in with two men bearing some breakfast for the prisoner, while their leader went round Hilary again, searchingly noting every fold of his garments before once more withdrawing.
“He must have seen it if I had it on,” said Hilary, as he once more found himself alone, when he eagerly attacked the provisions that had been left.
After satisfying his hunger, he was a good deal divided in his mind as to what to do about the weapon, which might prove to be so valuable an implement in his attempt to escape. If left outside and searched for again, the smugglers must find it; but the chances were that they would not go and look again, so he decided to leave it where it was.
The morning wore on without a single incident to take his attention, and he spent the time in examining the floor of his prison, giving a tap here and a tap there, and noting where it sounded most hollow.
It was a long task, but he had plenty of time upon his hands, and he at last decided that he would make his attack upon a small stone in the corner by the wall which contained the window, that was not only the darkest place, the light seeming to pass over it, but there was a hollower echo when he struck the stone, from which he hoped that the slab was thinner than the rest.