Part 88 (1/2)

”That was as far as I could reach, too We ave his uncle a droll look, the light froive it up, uncle I'll try again when the wind is not so strong”

”But you could not reach, boy, and I dare not loose my hold even for a minute”

”'Tis aard,” shouted To Stop arope in the bottom of the tool-chest”

Tom took the lantern, and as his uncle held up the trap-door, the boy went down, to return in two or three hly trustworthy new rope, and a ha nails; and as soon as the lantern and trap-door were secured, he began to knot the rope round his waist

”I don't like letting you go, Tom,” said Uncle Richard, with his lips to the boy's ear

”And I don't like to go, uncle; but this knot can't slip, and you won't loose me”

”No; you may depend upon that, ht the hammer and some nails

We can't fasten the shutter safely here, it would only break away again”

”Then it is of no use, boy; we must let the place take its chance”

”We won't, uncle,” screamed Tom, to make himself heard ”Look here: I know Where I touched the nearest corner of the shutter it's broken-away, so I shall get out in the gallery, turn it over into its place, and nail it down from outside”

”Are you et 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 Toh the broken-away corner”

”Nonsense, it is iain; and once antic uo and do it,” cried Too doe may be hurt”

”Uncle, the telescope!--all our work! Oh, I can't co your life, boy”

”'Tisn't, uncle,” cried Tohtly with the rope I should put some nails in my pocket--so, and stick the hammer handle down inside htly by the rope, and--Just like this, uncle”

And before he could be checked, To, and with the rapidity born of habit lifted his into the little gallery