"Anything is better than sitting quietly here." "Certainly, Matteo, if you wish.

Two can work at once, one on each line.

Choose the two sharpest edged of the daggers, and be sure to cut clean, and not to make a scraping noise or to try to break out pieces of wood.

The work must be done in absolute quiet.

Indeed, however careful you are, it is possible that some slight sound may be heard above, but, if noticed, it will probably be taken for the rats." Matteo and another of the young men at once fell to work; but it was not until the evening of the following day that cuts were made as deep as was considered prudent.