He laughed over the easy task of destruction.

"Aha! young Aldersley! It doesn't take much to demolish your bed-place.

I'll have it down! I would have the whole hut down, if they would only give me the chance of chopping at it!" A long strip of wood fell to his ax--long enough to require cutting in two.

He turned it, and stooped over it.

Something caught his eye--letters carved in the wood.