I could hear the muffled sound of steps above, and the opening and closing of doors.

Once the rattle of crockery reached me, and I believed my captors were at lunch.

I tried the bars at the windows, and endeavored to dig my knife-blade into the mortar, but it was as hard as the stone.

Discouraged, feeling utterly helpless, I threw myself on the bunk in despair.
I was not there to exceed ten minutes when, without warning, the lock clicked, and Peter came in.

I sat up quickly, but as instantly he had closed the door, and actually stood there grinning cheerfully.