Chapter 31
LUCY COLLINGWOOD DIPPED THE LENGTH OF TORN PETTICOAT into the oil well of the lamp, pushing four or five inches of material into the lamp to soak up some of the lamp oil. Then she pushed down the lever to raise the glass and slid the oil -soaked cloth into the flame. Lucy carefully withdrew the lighted strip of cloth and with her heart hammering blew out the lamp. The thin light from the petticoat flickered alarmingly around the walls and Lucy was afraid it was about to extinguish and cupped her hands about the flame, even though there was no discernible draught in the cell. Satisfied that the flame was established she laid the make-shift torch onto the bench, stretching out the material to ensure the flame lasted as long as possible. Working quickly she bound the rest of her p
