"They are my first birds, but I have no doubt that they will not be the last.

I will show you how it works.

It is quite a new thing.

This flooring is now as strong as possible, but every night I disconnect it.

It is done simultaneously by a central machine for every room on the ground-floor.
When the floor is disconnected one may advance three or four steps, either from the window or door, and then that whole part turns on a hinge and slides you into a padded strong-room beneath, where you may kick your heels until you are released.