g detected,
and should he return there he would possibly find Frank awake, which would
spoil all.

It looked as if he would have to give up the chance that had come to him.
In thoughtful mood he walked slowly back. All at once an idea struck him.
In the room where the trunks and boxes were stored he had seen a long
rope. Could he do anything with it?

Looking up at the aperture he noticed a jagged projection on one side.

"If I could attach the rope to that," he reflected, "I could draw myself
up hand over hand till I reached the top, and then it would go hard if I
didn't get out."

With new hope in his heart he retraced his steps rapidly till he reached
the storeroom.

He knew just where to look for the rope. He examined it carefully and
found it very stout and strong.

He took it back with him. Then making a loop at one end he stood under the
opening and threw it up as he would a lasso. He had to try a dozen times
before he contrived to circle the projection with the loop.

Then pulling it taut he began to climb hand over hand as he had many a
time done in sport. Now his deliverance depended upon it.

Slowly, foot by foot, he approached the opening, not knowing whether if he
reached it he would be able to draw himself through the hole.

CHAPTER XXI

OUT OF THE FRYING-PAN

Arrived at the opening, Ernest found that there was a trap-door, which
through carelessness had been left open. It was, however, a serious
problem to draw himself up so as to profit by what he had already done.

Twice he failed and nearly lost his grip on the rope. Then he caught hold
of the projection from which the rope depended, and by a supreme effort he
succeeded, helping himself by means of the trap-door in emerging from his
subterranean prison.

Stretching himself he took a deep breath and realized joyfully not only
that he was free, but that he had recovered the valuable bonds of which he
had been placed in charge.

He began to look around him and tried to conjecture in what direction he
must go to reach Lee's Falls. He was quite at a loss, as he had been
carried into the cave blindfolded. But help seemed to be at hand. He saw
at a little distance, rapidly approaching him, a man of middle height whom
he concluded to be a resident of some place in the vicinity.

"Can you tell me in what direction I must go to reach Lee's Falls?" he
asked.

The stranger paused and examined him.

"So you want to go to Lee's Falls?"