In a moment he had reached the door, and pressing the two springs it rolled back into the wall. He entered the room and stood before the prisoners.
“Barker, Armond, Rodman, come,” he said, speaking hastily, “come, if you wish to escape!”
“And, in the name of God, who are you that speaks thus,” gasped Willis, starting up at sound of the man’s voice; “are you a beast, or are you a human in disguise?”
“I’m a friend. Let that suffice. Come, I say, come.”
Strange led the way and the three prisoners arose and followed him, though the young men were compelled to assist Barker.
In a moment they came to where Strange had left the guns.
“Here are rifles and ammunition,” he said, handing each of them a weapon, “and here is my hunting-knife. Now wait here a moment.”
He opened the walls and passed into Dungarvon’s room, and returned in a moment with a bottle of brandy.
“Here, boys, take this. It will strengthen you,” he said. “At the door or mouth of the cavern is a sentinel. Should he demand a password, say to him, ‘Golden.’ Should he recognize you in the dark, knock him down and fly. One word more. Barker, do you know where the Devil’s Tarn is?”
“Yes,” returned Barker.