"He knows better than most men how to avenge himself!" "Then he is above most!" La Tribe retorted.

"For my part I wish I were sure of the fact, and I should sit here more at ease." "If we could escape, now, of ourselves!" Tignonville cried.

"Then we should save not only life, but honour! Man, think of it! If we could escape, not by his leave, but against it! Are you sure that this is Angers ?" "As sure as a man can be who has only seen the Black Town once or twice!" La Tribe answered, moving to the casement--which was not glazed--and peering through the rough wooden lattice.

"But if we could escape we are strangers here.

We know not which way to go, nor where to find shelter.
And for the matter of that," he continued, turning from the window with a shrug of resignation, "'tis no use to talk of it while yonder foot goes up and down the passage, and its owner bears the key in his pocket." "If we could get out of his power as we came into it!" Tignonville cried.
"Ay, if! But it is not every floor has a trap!" "We could take up a board." The minister raised his eyebrows.
"We could take up a board!" the younger man repeated; and he stepped the mean chamber from end to end, his eyes on the floor.