What was their surprise to find it vacant, and the prisoner gone! Jonathan, could scarcely believe his eyes.

He looked fiercely and inquiringly from one to the other of his companions; but, though both of them were excessively frightened, neither appeared guilty.

Before a word could be said, however, a slight noise was heard in the chimney, and Jack with his irons on descended from it.

Without betraying the slightest confusion, or making a single remark, he quietly resumed his seat.
"Amazement!" cried Wild.

"How has he unfastened his padlock?
Austin, it must be owing to your negligence." "My negligence, Mr.Wild," said the turnkey, trembling in every joint.
"I assure you, Sir, when I left him an hour ago, it was locked.