“Hurt?” he scoffed, although as a matter of fact his head was still dazed and ringing from the blow it had received. “Help me loosen this strap about my feet, and I’ll show you how little I am hurt.”
Then, while she relieved him of his remaining bonds, and assisted him to stand, he drew from her the story of how she had happened to come to his rescue.
“My dear girl,” he murmured tenderly, and although neither of them could tell just how it happened, another moment found them in each other’s arms.[{44}]
CHAPTER XXIX.
THE WAY.
“We are neglecting the colonel!” said Grail presently. “Come, we must lose no time in releasing him.”
“Father?” She stared at him.
“Yes. I am satisfied that he is somewhere here, held a prisoner just as I was.”
As he spoke, he began lighting matches, and holding them above his head; and in a moment he caught sight of the strong room, with its iron-sheathed door.
“What is that?” he inquired. Then, as Meredith told him, he stepped over to inspect it.
Meredith hesitated. “But, Ormsby,” she faltered, “the place is full of rats. I heard them when I stood at the door to-day.”