“To squeeze my way back and make a fight for it.  It’s better than—­”

“Wait!”

Lamont’s hand was on his shoulder, and he whispered a sharp command for silence.  The two attendants had halted in front of Number Two, and while the lantern-bearer fumbled with the awkward bolt, his companion was saying: 

“Hold on!  After all, I’ll bring the other his food first, I think.”

“But,” remonstrated the lantern-bearer, “the Governor said we were to bring the Englishman to him at once.”

“What if he did?  How will he know we stole a half minute to give the Prince his dinner?  If we bring the Englishman upstairs first, the Prince may have to wait an hour before we can get back with the Englishman.”

“Let him wait, then.”

“With his pocket full of roubles?  Not I. He may decide to give no more of his gold pieces to a gaoler who lets him go hungry too long.”

“I’ve got the door unfastened now and—­”

“Then fasten it again and come back with me to Number One.”

Faint as were the words, deadened by intervening walls, their purport reached Jack.

“Back to your place,” he whispered, “they’re coming!”

The rattle of bolts followed close on his words.  The great door of Number One swung ponderously inward.  The lantern-bearer, holding his light high in front of him, entered; then stepped to one side to admit the gaoler, who came close after, the tray of food in his outstretched hands.

Unluckily for the captives’ plan, it was to the side of the cell opposite to that where Alan crouched that the lantern-bearer had taken his stand.  There was no way of reaching him at a bound.  The open door stood between.  Were the gaoler to be attacked first, his fellow-attendant could readily be out of the cell and half-way up the corridor before Alan might hope to reach him.

The friends had counted on both men entering the room together and crossing as usual to the table.  This change of plan disconcerted them.  Already the gaoler had set down his tray and was turning toward the door.  Alan, helpless, stood impotently in the shadow, biting his blond mustache with helpless rage.  In another second their cherished opportunity would vanish.  And, as the gaoler’s next visit was to be to Number Two, discovery stared them in the eyes.

It was Jack who broke the momentary spell of apathy.  He was standing at the far end of the cell, near the stream.

“Here!” he called sharply to the lantern-bearer, “bring your light.  My electric apparatus is out of order, and I’ve mislaid my matches.  I want to fix—­”

The lantern-bearer, obediently, had advanced into the room.  He was half-way across it while Lamont was still speaking.  Then, from the corner of his eye, he spied Alan crouching in the angle behind the door, now fully exposed to the rays of the lantern.

The man whirled about in alarm just as Alan sprang.  In consequence the Englishman’s mighty fist whizzed past his head, missing it by a full inch.