"Yes, sir."
"You are to get us out, do you understand, child?"
"Yes—oh yes, yes! How, Mr. Cardigan? Tell me and I'll do it; truly, I will!"
"Then go to Jack's cell and let him talk to you. And have a care they do not catch you gossiping with prisoners!"
The girl glanced up and down the corridor; a deeper wave of red stained her face, but already I heard Mount calling her in a cautious voice, and she went, timidly, with lowered eyes.
I laid my ear to the grating and listened; they were whispering, and I could not hear what they said. Once an echoing step in the entry sent the girl flying across the corridor into her room, but it was only a night keeper on his rounds, and he went on quickly, tapping the lock of each cell as he passed. When the glimmer of his lanthorn died away in the farther passages, the girl flew back to Mount's grating. I listened and watched for a sign of Bishop and his wife.
"Jack," I called out in a low voice, "tell her to find Shemuel if she can."
"Quiet, lad," he answered; "I know what is to be done."
Before I could speak again, a distant sound warned the girl to her room once more; presently Bishop came stumping back, holding a lighted candle and still disputing with his slattern wife.
"You did! I tell you I seen you!" he grunted. "You left them candles in the wood-box."