CHAPTER XXI.
O'Brien receives his commission as lieutenant, and then we take French leave of Givet.
If I doubted the practicability of escape when I examined the exterior, when we were ushered into the interior of the fortress, I felt that it was impossible, and I stated my opinion to O'Brien.

We were conducted into a yard surrounded by a high wall; the buildings appropriated for the prisoners were built with _lean-to_ roofs on one side, and at each side of the square was a sentry looking down upon us.

It was very much like the dens which they now build for bears, only so much larger.
O'Brien answered me with a "Pish! Peter, it's the very security of the place which will enable us to get out of it.

But don't talk, as there are always spies about who understand English." We were shown into a room allotted to six of us; our baggage was examined, and then delivered over to us.

"Better and better, Peter," observed O'Brien, "they've not found it out!" "What ?" inquired I.
"Oh, only a little selection of articles, which might be useful to us by-and-by." He then showed me what I never before was aware of: that he had a false bottom to his trunk; but it was papered over like the rest, and very ingeniously concealed.