"It's better than doing nothing," he said, as if the idea was his own, and at once began upon the seam of mortar next that on which I was working.
Occupation of some kind was what we most needed; and as the moments wore on we increased our efforts until, when the sun marked the hour of noon, we had made quite a showing, although at the expense of grinding away our knife-points.
We had worked upon that stone which held the side bar in place, and if it might be removed we would have an aperture not less than eight inches in width. As a matter of course, neither of us could pass through such a narrow space; but if two of the bars were pulled out, then was the way open.
We were both resting from our labors when I was seized by a sudden thought, and cried exultantly:—
"We can escape if no time is wasted!"
"I can't see but that the situation is much the same as when we were first thrust into this place," Phil said gloomily.
"So it is; but since the villanous Benson passed us the rope, I'm of the idea that we can do considerable work."
"How?"
"We have surely done something toward loosening the stones. Now, if we make the rope fast to the lower end of the bar, and also to the handle of the door, one or the other must give way when we get purchase enough."