The casement itself was of the ordinary kind, and opened outwards with a simple catch-fastener.
Outside was a courtyard at the back of the guard-house, in which were scattered sundry brooms and buckets, and a pile of rubbish in one corner.

By mounting this I calculated I could get my hands to the top of the outer wall; and once over that, my chance was come.
I returned to my table and pretended to be occupied with writing, while really I was listening with all my ears for any sound that might show on which side of the prison the guard was set.
The Frenchman, I believe, had been quite correct in saying that the company at present being entertained in the place was inconveniently large; and if so, the guard set over them was probably dangerously small.

And if the executions were to begin at once, it was conceivable they might be still smaller as the afternoon wore on.

So, though I knew that my precious half-hour was slipping by, I waited patiently for a good part of it, till presently I heard a word of command, and a confused tramp of footsteps down the passage.
This was the first batch of my luckless comrades being marched to their death, and I shuddered as I thought how near I stood to their fate.
But cost what it would I would make a dash for freedom first.

I sprang to the window and hauled myself up on to the ledge.