ately. "Betty and John must come with me, as the ladder is
so long I can't carry it alone. I am afraid Barton will make a fuss
when he sees us moving it, though."

"Oh no, he won't! I dare say he won't notice you," asserted Lewis,
only intent on his own safety, and not caring in the least what risks
other people ran on his account.

But in the excitement of the moment the children had raised their
voices rather loudly, and Barton heard them as he milked the cows in
the yard below.

"Now, you young ladies and Master John, you are breaking that straw all
to pieces, I'll be bound!" he shouted. "I'll be up and see what you
are about directly I've done with this cow, that I will! Tossing the
hay all over the floor, when it was only put tidy the other day!"

"Will he come up really?" whispered Lewis, white with terror. "Yes?
Oh, help me to get away! Help me!"

"I will try," said Madge, once more taking the lead; "but you must do
as I tell you. Now if you had a rope to hold on to do you think you
could get down to the ground?"

"Yes, I think I could. But where is the rope? Please be quick!"

"Of course we can't get a rope here!" answered Madge sharply. She was
losing all patience with this coward, who only thought of his own
comfort and safety. However, she had pledged herself to do her best
for him, so she continued: "We will tie all our pocket-handkerchiefs
together. They will reach a good way towards the ground."

This really seemed an excellent idea, although when it came to be
worked out John could not make any contribution, having left his
handkerchief in the pocket of another coat. The knots also took up a
terrible amount of material, so that the completed rope was not a very
long affair.

"Do you think it is strong?" asked Lewis nervously. "And that you can
hold my weight?"

"No fear of that!" Madge squatted down by the door, Betty held her
firmly by the waist, and John tugged at the back. "Now we are ready,"
they said.

There was really no excuse for any further delay. Lewis desperately
seized the end of the knotted handkerchiefs and stood for a moment
irresolute on the edge of the wall. Then suddenly, thinking he heard
Barton coming behind him, he sprang forward with such a jerk that the
handkerchiefs slipped through his fingers and he fell heavily to the
ground.

"Well, that is his own fault, not ours!" exclaimed Madge. "We held the
rope tight enough, and if he chose to jump in th