He set the stones he had taken off the boards in a proper
position, laid one of the wet boards upon them, and then took off his
coat and folded it for a cushion, more or less dry. He made Sabina sit
down with the lantern, though she protested.
"I cannot work with my coat on," he answered, "so you may as well sit
on it."
He set to work, and said no more. The first thing to be done was to
sound the thickness of the wall, if possible, by making a small hole
through the bricks. If this could be done, and if Masin was on the
other side, a communication could be established. He knew well enough
that even with help from without, many hours might be necessary in
order to make a way big enough for Sabina to get out; it was most
important to make an opening through which food could be passed in for
her. He had to begin by using his pick-axe because the passage was so
narrow that he could not get his crowbar across it, much less use it
with any effect. It was very slow work at first, but he did it
systematically and with steady energy.
Sabina watched him in silence for a long time, vaguely wondering when
he would be tired and would be obliged to stop and rest. Somehow, it
was impossible to feel that the situation was really horrible, while
such a man was toiling before her eyes to set her free.
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