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Could the rats in The Problem of Cell Thirteen reasonably be called Van Dusen's helpers?

The rats could reasonably be called Van Dusen's helpers. Van Dusen bet Dr. Ransome and Mr. Fielding that he could escape from any prison. They arranged for Van Dusen to be held at Chisholm Prison. Van Dusen promised that he would escape from the prison in a week's time and that they would meet for dinner at his place after his escape.


Van Dusen was escorted to the prison by Dr. Ransome and Mr. Fielding. They met the warden, who was earlier informed of the experiment. The terms of the experiment were explained and Van Dusen took the opportunity to request some items. He was then ushered into cell 13, which was considered very secure.


While in his cell, Van Dusen stumbled upon a hole in the wall that was connected to the prison’s old drainage system. His discovery was made possible by rats who visited his cell from outside the prison walls through the drainage system. He later used one of the rats to deliver a message to Mr. Hatch, who worked for a media company and also served as his accomplice in the elaborate escape.



There were at least half a dozen rats in the cell -- I could see their beady eyes. Yet I had noticed none come under the cell door. I frightened them purposely and watched the cell door to see if they went out that way. They did not, but they were gone. Obviously they went another way. Another way meant another opening.


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