Every yard that they unravelled seemed to take them an hour in the process, and so occupied were they that it was some few moments before they became aware that at least two small pebbles had been thrown through the window, and then they only noticed it because one of the stones happened to fall directly upon the remnant of the garment upon which they were employed. "Roger, Roger, there he is," whispered Harry in great excitement. "Quick, quick! unwind that silk from your finger, and--Where can we find anything to tie on the end for a weight?" he added. Roger unwound the silk as fast as he knew how, and Harry desperately searched every nook and cranny of the cell for something to secure to the end. "I have it," said Roger in a low tone, as he finished unwinding the silk and coiled it carefully on the stone table, so that it might run free without being entangled. "I have it. We will secure your knife to the end, Harry; it will bear that weight, I should say, and we can haul it up again when the stouter line is attached." "Very well," answered Harry, producing the article in question, which was soon tied firmly to the end of the unravelled silk. The two stools were then dragged to the window, and on these Roger mounted, whilst Harry handed up the knife with the silk tied to it. "God grant that the line may bear the weight!" said Roger to himself, as he took the apparatus from Harry. Then he leant forward and extended his arm so far that any person standing below would be able to see it in the moonlight, although the person himself in the courtyard would be hidden in the shadow cast by the high walls of the prison. He allowed his hand to remain for a few moments, shining white in the moonlight, in order to signify to the man below that he was in readiness, and was prepared to let down the line. As if in answer, another small pebble came clattering against the wall just below the grating, and Roger's heart stood still for a moment with deadly fear, lest any unwelcome listener might be about. But there was no sign of such being the case, and the lad lowered carefully away until he felt the knife touch the ground. A few seconds later he felt a gentle vibration of the silk, as the man below fastened something to it, and then came three light pulls on the line. Roger rightly took this for a signal to haul up, and immediately did so. He hauled away with the utmost care, for he knew that his very life depended upon it, and when he had hauled in his own line he found attached to it a cord of stouter proportions, and capable of sustaining a very much heavier burden.