d thus formed round and round
the linen rope, which, without this binding, had a tendency to spread
abroad.

'Now,' said Knight, who, watching the proceedings intently, had by this
time not only grasped her scheme, but reasoned further on, 'I can
hold three minutes longer yet. And do you use the time in testing the
strength of the knots, one by one.'

She at once obeyed, tested each singly by putting her foot on the rope
between each knot, and pulling with her hands. One of the knots slipped.

'Oh, think! It would have broken but for your forethought,' Elfride
exclaimed apprehensively.

She retied the two ends. The rope was now firm in every part.

'When you have let it down,' said Knight, already resuming his position
of ruling power, 'go back from the edge of the slope, and over the bank
as far as the rope will allow you. Then lean down, and hold the end with
both hands.'

He had first thought of a safer plan for his own deliverance, but it
involved the disadvantage of possibly endangering her life.

'I have tied it round my waist,' she cried, 'and I will lean directly
upon the bank, holding with my hands as well.'

It was the arrangement he had thought of, but would not suggest.

'I will raise and drop it three times when I am behind the bank,' she
continued, 'to signify that I am ready. Take care, oh, take the greatest
care, I beg you!'

She dropped the rope over him, to learn how much of its length it
would be necessary to expend on that side of the bank, went back, and
disappeared as she had done before.

The rope was trailing by Knight's shoulders. In a few moments it
twitched three times.

He waited yet a second or two, then laid hold.

The incline of this upper portion of the precipice, to the length only
of a few feet, useless to a climber empty-handed, was invaluable now.
Not more than half his weight depended entirely on the linen rope. Half
a dozen extensions of the arms, alternating with half a dozen seizures
of the rope with his feet, brought him up to the level of the soil.

He was saved, and by Elfride.

He extended his cramped limbs like an awakened sleeper, and sprang over
the bank.

At sight of him she leapt to her feet with almost a shriek of joy.
Knight's eyes met hers, and with supreme eloquence the glance of each
told a long-concealed tale of emotion in that short half-moment. Moved
by an impulse neither could resist, they ran together and into each
other's arms.

At the mo