“ This, after the manner of the doors in that country, had no bolts, but only a large lock and chain in one piece with the handle

“After trying several keys, the idea of opening the door by unlocking it was apparently abandoned. Presently the evil looking point of a centre-bit emerged from the woodwork of the massive panel with a sound like a dog eating biscuits. The chief motioned us to stand aside, for it was only natural to suppose that an eye would be applied to the hole when completed. Owing to the thickness of the woodwork the limit of vision through the aperture could only be small, and by crouching down we easily made ourselves invisible.
“In a marvellously short space of time there was a hole as large as that saucer in the door.
“ We five crouched around it, watching it like terriers at a rat-hole. “ Then an idea struck me—a rare occur rence—and I crept back to the hat-stand, where a leather dog-leash himg beside the chief’s top hat.
