"If we go down to
kill him he may kill one of us first, especially if he has a revolver.
There is no hurry, I tell you. Do you happen to know how long it takes
to starve a man to death?"
"Without water, a man cannot live a week, sir. That is the best idea
you have had yet."
"Yes. We will wall him up in the vault. That is easy enough. Those
boards that are over the shaft will do to make a little frame, and the
stones are all here, just as we got them out. We can fasten up the
frame with ends of rope."
"We have no mortar, sir."
"Mud will do as well for such a small job," answered Malipieri. "We
can easily make enough. Give me your iron, in case he tries to get
out, and go and get the boards and the rope."
Masin began to rise.
"In a week we can come and take him out," he remarked in a matter-of-
fact way. "By that time he will be dead, and we can have his grave
ready."
He laughed again, as he thought of the sensations his cheerful talk
must produce in the mind of the man below.
"Yes," said Malipieri. "We may as well do it at once and go to bed. It
is of no use to sit up all night talking about the fellow's body. Go
and get the rope and the boards."
Masin was now on his feet and his heavy shoes made a grinding noise on
the stones. At that moment a sound was heard from below, and Malipieri
held up a finger and listened.
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