Part 43 (1/2)

The back window was raised and the rope lowered.

”n.o.body in sight!” cried Crabtree, looking down. ”Oh, I trust we can get away from them!” He saw a term in prison staring him in the face.

”Don't lose any time!” cried j.a.pson. ”Here, tie the end fast to that old bed. Now let me get out!”

”I'll go first!” cried Josiah Crabtree, and shoved the broker aside.

With trembling hands he grasped the improvised rope and slipped out of the window.

In the meantime d.i.c.k commenced to suspect that all was not right and called to Tom.

”Go below and outside and look at those windows,” he said. ”If they try to drop, shy some stones at 'em!”

”I will!” answered Tom, and ran down the stairs three steps at a time.

He looked up at the front of the house but saw nothing unusual. Then he dashed to the rear.

”Hi! stop!” he called out, as he saw Josiah Crabtree dangling just under the garret window. ”Get back there, or I'll fire at you!” And looking around, Tom saw a sharp stone and picked it up.

As he did this there was a sudden tearing sound, and the blanket-rope parted at the point where it pa.s.sed over the window sill. Josiah Crabtree uttered a wild yell of terror and clutched vainly at the sill and the clapboards under it. Then he came tumbling to the ground, doubling up in a heap as he did so. Tom expected him to arise and run, but he lay still where he had fallen.

”He's hurt, seriously hurt!” muttered the youth. ”Maybe he's killed!”

CHAPTER XXV

WHAT HAPPENED TO TOM

Tom glanced up, to see the white face of Jesse Pelter peering down upon him.

”You had better let us out of this!” cried the broker, hoa.r.s.ely.

”You stay where you are--if you know, what is best for you!” returned Tom.

”Is he dead?” went on the broker, referring to Crabtree.

”I don't know.”

The youth ran up to the former school teacher and turned him over. As he did this Josiah Crabtree gave a gasp and a groan and opened his eyes.

”Oh! Oh! what a--a fa--fall!”

”If you hadn't tried to get away it wouldn't have happened,” returned Tom, briefly. He could have but little sympathy for such a hardened rascal.

Josiah Crabtree sat up and then tried to get to his feet. There was a cut on his forehead from which the blood was flowing.

”Oh! oh!” cried the man and put his hand to his left leg. It was twisted under him in a peculiar fas.h.i.+on. To get up on it was impossible, and Crabtree fell back with a cry of pain and fright.

”My leg! It is broken! Oh, what shall I do? Rover, please help me!”

And the former teacher turned a look of genuine misery on Tom.

”Let me examine it,” said the boy, in a more kindly tone. He approached the man and felt of the injured limb. By the way it was doubled up Tom felt certain it must be broken, perhaps in two places.