[He turns away to the window.

Carter (coming behind him, speaking in a low, strained voice).  But why all this for me?  Are not your chances for escape as good as mine?

[Gordon does not move.

(Slowly Carter realizes the truth:  he is deadly pale; then with a short intaking of the breath, he catches Gordon’s arm).  You mean—­

Gordon (turns, facing him).  Yes.

Carter.  To hide the place where I escape.  No!  You hear me—­No!

Gordon.  Quiet!  For God’s sake! (He comes close to Carter, placing both hands on his shoulders, looking him squarely in the eyes).  You are going straight to Morgan, and you are going to save him and his army.

Carter.  And you—­

Gordon.  I will come later.

Carter.  How much?

Gordon.  Two hours.

Carter.  They’d find you out before then.  But why, why not you take the news to Morgan?

Gordon.  There is not time for me to even hear it:  and if there were—.  Ha! what’s that?

[Far down underneath the floor the sound of metal striking on
the rock.

You hear!

[The sound again.

Listen!

[The sound a little louder.

What part of the floor?

[The clock begins to strike twelve.

Carter.  Under the mattress—­here!

Gordon.  Go to the door and listen for him.

[Carter goes to door and bends down, listening.  Gordon pushes
aside the mattress and begins to claw the bricks with
his fingers.

Carter.  All’s quiet.  He does not always come.  Here, your hands are bleeding.

[He begins to help with the bricks.  They get one up, then some
dirt, then another brick.

Gordon.  Only a second now (he and Carter tear up more bricks) Look out! (he pushes Carter back.  A man’s hand and arm appear through the floor, then is quickly withdrawn).  All right!

Voice Below.  Are you safe?

Gordon.  Yes.

Voice.  Horse outside.  Come!

Carter.  Gordon, you have—­

Gordon.  Not a word.  Now’s the time.

[As he is about to help Carter in the hole, the voice of Bill
is heard outside.

Bill (without).  All right, in a minute.

Gordon.  You hear.  Quick!

[He helps Carter down through the floor as the key is heard in
the door.  Gordon throws the bricks back into place, and
then draws mattress over them.  He snatches up blanket,
drawing it partially over him, strikes out candle with
his hand, pillows his head on his arm and pretends to be
asleep.  Enter Bill from the hall.  He is very cross at
having been disturbed.

Bill.  Nice time o’ night to be coming asking for prisoners.  Fool!  Why couldn’t he wait till mornin (holds up lantern).  Humph!  Must all be sleepin in the parlor.  Well, I’ll get um out of thar (he catches sight of Gordon).  Well, friendly fellow—­this; wants room to himself.  You, there; get up! (Gordon moves and half turns, but does not open eyes) Thunder!  Are you dead?  Get up!