The character of the sentry's walk had changed. He had been relieved some four hours before, and his walk at times ceased, as if he were leaning against the wall to rest himself, while at times he gave an impatient stamp with his feet. "I expect they have forgotten to relieve him," Philip said to himself. "If a strong body has gone out, that might very well be." Another half hour passed, and then he heard steps ascending the stone staircase, and the sentry exclaimed angrily: "Sapristie, comrade, I began to think I was going to be kept all night at my post, and that everyone had ridden out with that party that started, half an hour ago. "Now, then, the orders are: 'Permit no one to approach. Refuse even to allow officers to visit the prisoner, without a special order of the governor.' That is all. "Now I am off for a tankard of spiced wine, which I think I have earned well, for it is a good hour after my time of relief." Then Philip heard his footsteps descending the stairs, while the man who had relieved him walked briskly up and down in front of the door. In a minute or two he stopped, then Philip turned with a start from the window at which he was standing, as he heard through the keyhole a loud whisper: "Monsieur Philip, are you asleep? It is I!" "Why, Pierre!" he exclaimed, running to the door and putting his mouth to the keyhole; "how did you come here?" "I will tell you that later, master. The thing is now to get you out. The bolts here are easy enough to draw, but this lock puzzles me. I have brought up two thin saws and an auger, and thought to cut round it; but there is a plate of iron outside." "And there is one inside too, Pierre. How about the hinges, Pierre?" "There is no doing anything with them, master. The ironwork goes right across the door. There is nothing for it, but to cut right round the iron plate." "That won't take very long, if the saws are good, Pierre." Philip heard a rasping sound and, in a short time, the auger passed through the woodwork. Two other holes adjoining the first were soon made, and then the end of a saw was pushed through. "If you can make a hole large enough at the bottom of the plate, Pierre, and pass me the other saw through, I can work that way to meet you." "It would take too long to make, sir. I have plenty of oil, and it won't take me long to saw round the plate. I only brought the second saw in case the first should break. But this oak is pretty nearly as hard as iron." It took over an hour's work before the cut was complete. When it was nearly finished, Pierre said: "Be ready to seize the piece that is cut out, as soon as I am through with it, master; otherwise it may fall down, as the door opens, and make a clatter that will be heard all over the castle." As the last piece was sawn through Philip pressed the door and, as it opened, seized the portion cut out, drew it backward, and laid it gently on the stone floor. Then he rose, and grasped Pierre's hand.