As the hours passed and the fierceness of the storm increased, and the sound of the pelting raindrops was heard as they struck the sides of the building, the monotony of it all served as an inducement for sleep. It was not long before the sounds which came from their fellow prisoners convinced both the young soldiers that the men were sleeping soundly. The guard in the hallway was plainly within sight seated in a chair which was tipped back against the wall. A lighted candle was shining in each end of the hall, and though the light was dim every movement of a person near by could be plainly seen. Fortunately the light of the candles did not fall directly upon the ceiling in the room where the prisoners were confined. "It must be eliven o'clock," whispered Dennis. "Don't you think so, Noel?" "Yes." "It's time for us to begin." "Yes," again assented Noel. "Kape still now, while I take off me shoes again. You'd better take yours off, too." "We'll want them if we ever get out of this place," suggested Noel. "That's right. Shure we will. You'll have to pass them up to me after I have climbed into the loft." Noel made no further protests, and Dennis at once prepared to carry out the plan which he had so carefully devised. Silently both young soldiers removed their shoes, and then, without delaying a moment, as soon as Noel had braced himself against the side of the wall, Dennis clambered to his shoulders and then waited a brief instant to discover whether or not the guard was aware of any unusual activities among his prisoners. The silence was unbroken, and Dennis, as soon as he was convinced that the suspicions of their guard had not been aroused, slowly and cautiously began to slide back the opening into the loft. More time was consumed in this endeavor than either of the boys had expected. Several times the door seemed to stick in its place, and only by the utmost care was the young Irishman able to push it past the obstacle without making any noise. At last, however, his effort was crowned with success and a narrow opening above him was cleared. To Noel, who was upholding his burden, the efforts of his friend appeared to be unduly prolonged. It seemed to him that he could not longer maintain his position and that he must let Dennis fall to the floor. Aware, however, that such an action on his part would certainly arouse the guard, he braced himself once more and did his utmost to stand steadily in his place. His relief was great when Dennis, firmly grasping with a hand each side of the floor above him, quickly raised himself and crawled into the loft. Noel instantly stooped and taking the heavy shoes held them toward the ceiling. In the darkness it was with difficulty that Dennis at last was able to see and seize them, and then, as soon as he had placed them carefully on the floor of the loft, he reached down to grasp the uplifted hands of Noel.