of rescuing Trevannion in his mind,
hurried off to the watchman's hut--only to find that the fellow had left
his post. However, he discovered there a lantern and a coil of rope,
and, taking these, he returned to Section D, resolved to attempt the
rescue by himself. Having shouted and received a reply, he hitched one
end of the rope to a beam, and was about to lower himself down, when he
discovered that the rope was so badly frayed in its centre that it could
not be trusted to bear even his slight weight.

There was nothing to be done save to postpone the attempt till he had
found a more substantial cable. He remembered that there was a length or
two in the office, and thither he set out at once. The door being locked
and Trevannion having the key is his pocket, he had to force the lock as
best he could with the first implement he could lay hands on.

This occupied several minutes, and when he returned to the section, he
was tormented by the fear that he might find Trevannion drowned. He
hastily affixed the new rope, and let himself down into the abyss, where
he discovered Trevannion insensible, with his forehead almost touching
the water.

It did not take long to make a noose and slip it over the latter's
shoulders, but he had hardly done so when a gush of water swept over the
beam, carrying away the lantern and plunging them into total darkness.
For some subsequent seconds the boy clutched the rope and Trevannion's
lifeless body in an agony of terror and doubt.

Then he started to climb up. The process proved exceedingly laborious,
for the hemp was thin and damp, and it was difficult to obtain a grip.
However, he managed to reach the summit and clambered over the brink,
then paused awhile for some little breath and strength before essaying
the hardest task of all--the hauling of Trevannion into safety.

How his puny strength enabled him to do this, he never could say. His
foothold was none too secure, and the only available leverage was a
narrow piece of masonry that jutted from the side. Yet, working inch by
inch, he accomplished it, and when Trevannion had been brought
sufficiently near the top, he made the rope fast to a convenient block
of granite, and, kneeling down, regardless of his own peril, lifted him
over the side. It was quite ten minutes before he could stagger with his
burden to the office.

Safely inside, he made up the fire and telephoned for the doctor. Then
he remembered O'Donnell, and spoke a