A Plot Discovered. 33

an absolute necessity to risk everything in the
attempt. He mounted on the ledge of the
window, which, being that of a garret, was close
to the roof; he then managed to make his way
along the roof, and climbed up the steep and
slippery slope—the most difficult part of his pro-
gress—that led to the chimney itself. Wishing
to attract the attention of the clerks and others
who were in Mr. Kartmann’s room, he dropped
hard pieces of mortar, which he had loosened
with his knife, one by one down the chimney ;
then, when he thought it was time, he let drop
his note, securely fastened between two pieces
of tile, in order to protect it from the soot and
fire. This done, he quickly went back to his
garret.

He expected an immediate deliverance, but
hours passed away and nobody came. The
public clocks had struck five. He went fre-
quently to the door, he peeped through the
keyhole, he put his ear close to it, but nothing
was to be seen or heard in the passage. He
. began to feel very uneasy. Whence arose this
delay ? Had his note been read? All the
agony of mind that he had previously felt now
returned.

c