Page 35 - A Hero of Liége

Kenneth explained briefly what had happened. Then, feeling a strange
liking for his companion, he added:

"When you came in, I was wondering about the chances of escape."

"A waste of brain tissue, unless you have some talisman. But tell me, you
have some definite idea?"

"You see that hole in the ceiling? I was enlarging it."

"Ha! A man of action! Nil desperandum, eh? Let me have a look at it."

He mounted on the table, and thrust his hand into the opening.

"I say, youngster," he said, a note of eagerness in his voice, "there is a
chance, on my life there is. The boards above are not over firm. We may be
skipping out of the frying-pan into the fire, but one can only die once.

Continue with your work; I'll mount guard and warn you of anyone
approaching."

Kenneth scraped away with his penknife, until the hole was large enough to
admit his head and shoulders. The light, coming through a single crack, did

not increase, so that the enlargement of the hole might easily escape notice
if a constable entered. The stranger put the chair on the table.

"Mount on that," he said; "put your back against the boards, and
shove--gently."

Kenneth did as he was instructed. The pressure of his back started the nails,

and a plank rose, with an alarming creak.

"That won't be heard through the rumble of traffic outside," said the man.

"Wait a little. You don't know anything of the room above?"

"Nothing. I heard somebody go in and out a while ago; I think it is empty."