"You won't find it an easy thing to do." This was from the governor.
"Why don't you take and blow the whole place up?" shouted a gentleman, also on the other side of the door, two or three cells off.
Long before this all the occupants of the corridor had been lending a very attentive ear to what was going on. The suggestion was received with roars of laughter. The Major, however, preferred to act upon the workmen's advice. A sledge hammer was sent for.
While they were awaiting its arrival something rather curious happened--curious, that is, viewed in the light of what had gone before. Warder Slater formed one of the party. More for the sake of something to do than anything else, he put his key into the lock of the cell which was just in front of him. Giving it a gentle twist, to his amazement it turned with the greatest ease, and the door was open.
"Here's a go!" he exclaimed. "Blest if this door ain't come open."
There was a yell of jubilation all along the corridor. The prisoners seemed to be amused. The official party kept silence. Possibly their feelings were too deep for words.
"Since we've got this one open," said Warder Slater, "suppose we try another?"
He tried another, the next; the same result followed--the door was opened with the greatest of ease.
"What's the meaning of this?" spluttered the Major. "Who's been playing this tomfoolery? I don't believe there's anything the matter with a lock in the place."
There did not seem to be, just then. For when the officers tried again they found no difficulty in unlocking the doors, and setting the prisoners free.