Page:Dave Porter at Oak Hall.djvu/153

Rh Oak Hall, and here Dave lit a bit of candle he had brought along. Then they moved forward again, until they stood before one of the big coal vaults. The door was of heavy wooden slats and unlocked. All marched inside, and the bit of candle was placed on an empty box that was handy.

"'Tis a goodly dungeon, truly," said Phil, in the deepest bass voice he could command.

"And here is the chain," answered Dave, bringing forth a long dog chain he had picked up out of a tool chest in the lower hall.

The chain was tied around one of Macklin's ankles, and then fastened to an iron pipe running along the wall. Then all saw to it that the sneak had his hands still bound tightly behind him.

"Now, Macklin, pleasant dreams, but don't let the rats gobble you up," said Roger.

"Are you going to—to leave me?" cried the sneak, trembling from head to foot.

"Yes. But don't be afraid, we'll come back for you by morning," answered Dave, who did not wish to frighten the lad too much.

The pillow-case was removed from the sneak's head, so that he might breathe freely, and then the other boys ran from the vault, closing the slatted door after them, and shoving a board in front to keep it tight.

"Don't—don't leave me, please don't!" cried