"I suppose you were surprised to find the passageway," he remarked.
"Yes, sir."
"As you have always lived in the country, that is natural. Such arrangements are common enough in the city."
"I wonder whether trap doors are common," thought Grit, but he did not give expression to his thought.
"The room into which you looked is under the house of my brother-in-law, and the passage affords an easy mode of entrance."
"I should think it would be easier going into the street," thought Grit.
"Still I am annoyed at your meddlesome curiosity, and shall take measures to prevent your gratifying it again. I had a great mind when I first saw you to shut you up in the passage. I fancy you wouldn't enjoy that."
"I certainly shouldn't," said Grit, smiling.
"I will have some consideration for you, and put a stop to your wanderings in another way."
As he spoke he drew from his pocket a thick, stout cord, and directing Grit to hold his hands together, proceeded to tie his wrists. This our hero naturally regarded as distasteful.