And as I thought of this I began to see the rudiments of a desperate plan.

It depended on Peter, now slumbering like a tired dog on a couch of straw.
Hussin had locked the door and I must wait for information till he came back.

But suddenly I noticed a trap in the roof, which had evidently been used for raising and lowering the cellar's stores.

It looked ill-fitting and might be unbarred, so I pulled the table below it, and found that with a little effort I could raise the flap.

I knew I was taking immense risks, but I was so keen on my plan that I disregarded them.