There must be no sawing or scraping.

The beams are two feet apart, and we must cut through two planks close to them.

In that way there will be no nails to remove.

Of course, we shall not cut quite through until the time arrives for us to make the attempt, but just leave enough to hold the planks together.

Half an hour's work will get through that, for if we were to cut through it at once, not only would there be risk of the hole being discovered by anyone sweeping the cabin, but we should be obliged to remain absolutely silent, or we should be heard immediately." "We can begin at once, can we not ?" Matteo asked.