Those fellows would be there swiftly.

If they found him gone they would have no doubt but what he landed safely, and had made a get-away.

They would search, of course, perhaps out into the alley, hoping he might have been injured, but it was hardly probable they would think to explore the cellar.

Even if they did, he could surely creep into some dark corner where he might escape observation.

Anyway, crippled as he was, this offered the one and only chance.