“A cloud,” I said to myself at first, but even as I thought that, I felt that it could not be; and at last I was lifting my hand to touch Mr Frewen, and draw his attention to the strange phenomenon, when the sawing suddenly ceased. My companion drew a long breath; and at the same moment, as I felt drawn toward the window by some strange attraction, to try and make out why it was so dark, there was the sound of another deep breath, and I felt it hot and strange right in my face, as in a hoarse whisper some one said—
“How are you getting on?”
Chapter Twenty.
For a few moments I could not utter a word in that black darkness. I heard Mr Frewen give a sudden start and his elbow jar against the partition, but he too was silent, save that I could hear his hurried breathing.
Then some one spoke again—
“Can’t you hear me there? I says, how are you getting on?”
“Bob Hampton!” I cried excitedly.
“Pst! Steady, my lad. Bob Hampton it is. But don’t shout, or some ’un ’ll hear you, and ’ll come along the deck overhead and cut me adrift.”