Looking towards the prisoner on the floor, Armstrong fancied he caught a malignant gleam in the man's eyes.
"On the whole," he said quietly, "I'm inclined to agree with you."
CHAPTER XXII
A PARLEY
"You're more hefty with tools than I am," said Pratt to Armstrong. "So if you'll run upstairs and smash that chain off my uncle, I'll keep an eye on what's happening outside."
"Right," replied Armstrong. "The hammer strikes me as a bit light for the job, but one can only try. Yell if you want me."
Taking the hammer and chisel, he leapt up the winding staircase to the topmost room. Mr. Pratt was thoughtfully drawing his fingers through his beard.
"So you are the third member of the trio," he said.
"Yes, I'm Armstrong. If you'll kindly stretch the chain tight over the edge of the bed, I'll do my best to break a link. I'm afraid I shall jar you, but----"
"Don't consider that. Make your break as near my leg as you can."