[Enter Bill, hurriedly.
Bill (excited). He's not in thar! Look 'round the room. Ain't he
in here!
[Goes hurriedly to the straw, then to mattress, then dashes
into the other room.
Hop. Escaped! Impossible! Why not you?
[Re-enter Bill, runs to door on left, then into hall, crying,
"Escaped prisoner! Guard!" The prison bell begins to ring.
[Enter Bill, followed by four men with rifles, carrying lanterns.
Bill (rushes to Gordon in a rage). Whar's that fellow gone? Tell
me, or I'll--
[Starts to strike him.
Winth. You'll be kicked out of this prison--(To guards) Search
the rooms. He may be hiding (to Gordon). For God's sake man, where has
he gone?
[Gordon has come to the mattress, where he half kneels, watching
the others.
Gordon (in a low voice). No.
[Re-enter the guard, followed by the rest of the prisoners,
much excited. They talk in low voices to one another.
Hop. (coming forward with the lantern). Hello! What's this? Fresh
earth on the floor. Here, men. Quick!
[They snatch away the mattress, disclosing the round hole in the
floor.
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