"Yes, it's me, certainly, Mr. Tinker," replied the iron-merchant. "Who's that you've got with you?" "Vy, who should it be but the Sandman," rejoined the other gruffly. "Ve've set ourselves free at last, and have made some nice diskiveries into the bargin." "Yes, ve've found it all out," added the Tinker. "What have you discovered--what have you found out?" cried the iron-merchant breathlessly. "Have you found my daughter? Where is she? Take me to her." "Not so fast, old gent, not so fast," rejoined the Tinker. "Ve ain't sure as 'ow ve've found your darter, but ve've catched a peep of a nice young 'ooman." "Oh! it must be her--no doubt of it," cried the iron-merchant. "Where is she? Take me to her without a moment's delay." "But ve can't get to her, I tell 'ee," replied the Tinker. "Ve knows the place vere she's a-shut up,--that's all." "Take me to it," cried Mr. Thorneycroft eagerly. "Vell, if you must go, step this vay, then," rejoined the Tinker, proceeding towards the archway. "Halloa, Sandy, did you shut the door arter you?" "Not I," replied the other; "open it." "Easily said," rejoined the Tinker, "but not quevite so easily done. Vy, zounds, it's shut of itself and bolted itself on t'other side!" "Some one must have followed you," groaned Thorneycroft. "We're watched on all sides." "Ay, and from above, too," cried the Sandman. "Look up there!" he added, in accents of alarm. "What's the matter? What new danger is at hand?" inquired the iron-merchant. "Look up, I say," cried the Sandman. "Don't ye see, Tinker?" "Ay, ay, I see," replied the other. "The roof's a-comin' in upon us. Let's get out o' this as fast as ve can." And he kicked and pushed against the door, but all his efforts were unavailing to burst it open. At the same time the Sandman rushed towards the ladder, but before he could mount it all egress by that means was cut off. An immense iron cover worked in a groove was pushed by some unseen machinery over the top of the pit, and enclosed them in it. CHAPTER V NEW PERPLEXITIES