The night wore on, but the boys did not sleep. Their tight bonds and
worry over their situation prevented this.
All at once Roy's attention was attracted by somebody raising the flap
at the back of the tent. Next something crawled in. At first he thought
it was a large dog.
But then came a whisper:
"It's me, Wren."
"What are you doing here?"
"Hush, I've come to get you free. You'll take me with you, won't you?"
"Of course; what a question to ask! But how can you free us?"
"I've got a knife here. I'll cut those ropes in a minute."
"But the guard outside?"
"I've fixed him. Was it very wrong of me? While Mother Beppo wasn't
looking I put some of the stuff in that coffee I brought him."
[Illustration: "I'd do anything for you." said the child, as she rapidly
cut the ropes.]
"Well, upon my word, Wren! What sort of stuff?" gasped Jimsy.
"Oh, some sort of brown stuff. I've seen Mother Beppo smoke it. It makes
her oh so sleepy. So I gave some to him and he's sound asleep now."
"Must have been opium," declared Roy.
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