"The shaft's easy enough, I mind-- two storeys above this, and all the flues leadin' to your right.
I'll be out in the street by the time you hail." I hadn't a doubt he would.

"One week to Midsummer!" I cried, to hearten me--for we were both counting the days now between us and the fishing.

He grinned, and up I went.
The chimney was foul, to be sure, but once past the first ten or a dozen feet I mounted quickly.

Towards the top the shaft narrowed so that for a while I had my doubts if it could be squeezed through: but I found, on reaching it, that the brickwork shelved inwards very slightly, though furred or crusted with an extra thick coating of soot below the vent.

Through this I broke in triumph, sweating from my haste; and brushing the filth from my eyes, leaned both arms on the chimney-pot while I scanned the roofs around for a glimpse between them, down to the street and Mr.Trapp.