“I see it among those at your belt,” said Ethan.
With a snarl, Meg whipped out a murderous looking knife with her free hand, and reaching through the grating made a lunge at him. But, held as she was, she could not touch him, and another severe twist at the arm caused her to drop the knife and writhe with pain.
By this time Longsword was storming up and down in his cell. He could hear what they said, but, because of his situation, could not see anything of what was transpiring; his repeated calls to Ethan received no answer, for Ethan was too engrossed in his work to heed him.
“Once more,” said he, ignoring the woman’s cries, “give me the key.”
“I can’t reach it,” she said. “Let my arm go and I’ll give it to you.”
“You’ll give it to me now,” he replied steadily.
But he knew better than to let slip his advantage; for once free she would laugh at him. So he persisted in his demand, his strong fingers clasped like steel about her wrist; and finally, groaning and lamenting the fate that would be meted out to her by Danvers, she selected the key from the bunch at her belt, fitted it in the lock and turned it. Slowly the door swung open, then Ethan released her and sprang out into the passage.
“Hurra!” shouted Longsword, as he caught sight of him. “Well done, Master Ethan.”
“Now the other key,” said the youthful American.
The woman hesitated, casting a look at the knife upon the floor; but Ethan kicked it beyond her reach and snatched the keys. She then sullenly indicated the one that opened Longsword’s dungeon, and in a moment the Irish ex-dragoon was free also.
But scarcely had the latter executed the first intricate steps of a joyful Irish jig upon the flags of the passage, when there came the sound of a closing door from above, followed by footfalls upon the floor directly over their heads. The woman uttered a cry of delight.
“Mr. Danvers and his men,” she answered exultantly. “This was the day which he had set for a visit to you.”
“Caught,” cried Longsword, his hands clinching and his tall raw-boned body growing tense for the struggle which he knew was sure to come.
“Ay, caught like rats!” chuckled the woman. “You thought to give me the slip, did you?” to Ethan. “But you are going to fail. I’ll have you here for many a day yet; and I’ll be even with you for the little trick you played upon me just now.”