at last the rope gave way and he found his hands free. He lost
no further time in ridding himself of the gag and the rope which
bound his feet.

He was now free so far as his bodily movements went, but he soon
discovered that the coal bin was without any opening but a long,
narrow Chute covered with an iron plate, and that the heavy door
was securely bolted. With all force he threw himself against the
door, but it refused to budge.

Presently he remembered that he had several loose matches in his
vest pocket, and, taking out one of these, he lit it and then set
fire to a thick shaving that was handy and which, being damp,
burnt slowly.

"Hullo, here's something of a trap-door!" he exclaimed, as he
gazed at the flooring above head. "I wonder if I can get out
that way?"

He dropped the lighted shaving in a safe spot and put up his
hands. The cut-out spot in the flooring went up with ease and
Dick saw a fairly well furnished room beyond. Through one of the
windows of the room he saw that daybreak was at hand.

"Great Caesar! I've been down here all night!" he ejaculated,
and, putting out the light, leaped up and drew himself through
the opening. Once in the room he put the trap down again and
rearranged the rag carpet he had shoved out of place.

The door to the room was locked, so the boy hurried to the