"But the sill is solid stone, and full a foot wide."

"Say ye so, lad? Then luck is o' my side. Send up rope."

The rope was sent up, and presently was fast to something above and dangled down a little past the window-sill.

"Put out a light on sill," whispered the voice above.

Then there was a long silence, during which Coventry's blood ran cold.

As nothing further occurred, he whispered, "What is the matter?"

"My stomach fails me. Send me up a drop of brandy, will ye? Eh, man, but this is queer work."

"I can't get it up to you; you must drink it here. Come, think! It will be five years' penal servitude if you don't."