Christy examined the scuttle with the greatest care, to determine on which side the hooks were placed.
While he was doing this, Flint detached a couple of bricks from the party-wall, which were used as a fulcrum for the lever, made of the joist.

The building was not inhabited, and there was little to be feared at that height above the street from any noise they might make.

Flint sat down on the end of the lever, and the scuttle flew up at once, the staple drawn out of the wood.
The master's mate was the first to enter; and he "hung off" to the floor below.

Then he assisted Christy to descend, and to close the scuttle after him.

Acting upon their belief that all the warehouses were constructed on the same plan, they easily found the door by which they reached the staircase.