He was hungry and thirsty, to be sure, and stood sadly in need of rest.
But to have reached the vaults and gone through them to procure food, then return and make the passage again to his hiding-place, and then hope to reach the stairs by a third passage of the open space, would have been to hug a foolish hope to his breast.
No, he could not hope to more than once successfully make the passage of the open space without being observed.
So it was practically a question to go hungry and thirsty, or give up all idea of carrying his quest to completion.
The latter he would not do, until absolutely driven to it.
He decided on going hungry.
Only a light packing-case now stood between him and liberty—that is, liberty as far as emerging from his prison was concerned.
Having moved the box in and out to be sure that it did not bind anywhere, and that he would not be delayed when the time had come, in his judgment, to beat a retreat, he then turned his attention toward extending the passage in the direction of the office, in pursuance of his original intention.
It was already so close to the office that he could overhear what was said, although not as clearly at all times as he wished.
Conquering his rebellious stomach, which clamored for food, Shadow stuck to the task he had set for himself.