it down from outside."

"Are you mad?" cried Uncle Richard. "How are you going to get in?"

"Shan't get in. You'll let me down outside."

"Absurd, boy! The rope would be shut in the door, even if I would
harbour such a wild scheme for a moment."

"No, it wouldn't," shouted Tom; "the rope would run through the
broken-away corner."

"Nonsense, it is impossible. The place must go."

_Whoo_! came the wind again; and once more it seemed as if the roof was
to be lifted off like a gigantic umbrella, and carried far away by the
storm.

"I must go and do it," cried Tom.

"_No_, _no_, _no_!" shouted Uncle Richard. "Let's go down--we may be
hurt."

"Uncle, the telescope!--all our work! Oh, I can't come away."

"But it is risking your life, boy."

"'Tisn't, uncle," cried Tom desperately. "You can hold me tightly with
the rope. I should put some nails in my pocket--so, and stick the
hammer handle down inside my jacket--so, and then climb out quickly
while you held tightly by the rope, and--Just like this, uncle."

And before he could be checked, Tom stepped to the opening, and with the
rapidity born of habit lifted himself out, and then holding on by the
sill, lowered his legs into the little gallery.

Uncle Richard darted forward to seize him, but another terrific blast
struck the mill, pinning Tom against the woodwork, and literally driving
his uncle back from the opening, while the telescope swung round upon
its pivot, and various objects were blown to the far side.

For the full space of a minute it seemed as if the dome-like roof must
be torn off, while, to add to the confusion and horror, the lantern was
blown over and went out, leaving them in utter darkness.

At last, when the strength of the squall was partly spent, Uncle
Richard, as he held on by the rope, shouted to Tom to come back; but in
his excitement the boy heard nothing. He gave a fierce drag at the
rope, crept sidewise beneath the shutter, and exerting all his strength
tried to turn it over upon its hinges. But each effort was in vain, for
the wind pressed it down.

"I can't do it--I can't do it," he panted, as, pressing his feet against
the rail of the gallery, he heaved and heaved with all his might, but
only succeeded in getting his arms underneath a little.

Then the rope was dragged fiercely, and his uncle's voice came through
the opening overhead and to his left, but only in a confused murmur,
though he felt what must be said;