The day passed away without further incident.
The prisoners looked for the night with impatience; in spite of themselves, a confidence in the doctor had gained upon them—they hoped.
Towards evening the worthy savant reappeared. He walked with a deliberate step, his countenance was cheerful, he held a torch in his hand.
"What is there fresh, doctor?" the general asked; "you appear to be quite gay."
"In fact, general, I am so," he replied with a smile, "because I have found the means of securing your escape—not forgetting my own."
"And those means?"
"Are already half executed," he said, with a little dry smile, which was peculiar to him when he was satisfied.
"What do you mean by that?"
"By Galen! something very simple, but which you never would guess: all our bandits are asleep, we are masters of the grotto."
"That may be possible; but if they should wake?"