“Stop that noise!” commanded Harriet.  “Everything is all right!”

“Ready again,” commanded Miss Elting.  “One, two, three—­pull!”

Tommy came up about a foot this time.  Her progress was slow, but it was, at least, sure.

Jane and the guide were acting as anchors, at the same time assisting in pulling on the line, holding down when the pauses came.

After every pull Miss Elting would call a halt while she worked the round stick down over the edge of the rock to keep the rope from being unduly worn.  In this way Tommy came up little by little, now and then uttering a sharp scream at some unexpected jolt.  Once, when the rope slipped from the round stick, Tommy felt herself slipping into unconsciousness, but pluckily recovered herself.  She clenched her fists until the nails almost cut into the flesh of her hands, and all the time she was wondering if the belt that seemed to be cutting her in two would hold or break.  Those on the ledge above were wondering much the same thing.  They were operating with extreme caution for that very reason.

“You are almost up to us, Tommy,” encouraged the guardian.  “Be very careful.  Make no sudden moves.  Don’t try to take hold of the edge when we get you level with it.  We shall have to pull you over the last two or three feet by taking hold of you.  Then we will have something to be thankful for, won’t we?”

“Yeth,” wailed a weak voice from over the side.

“Ready!”

This time Tommy came up so close that the guardian was able to touch her.  Miss Elting leaned over and patted Tommy on the shoulder reassuringly.

“One more long, strong pull and we shall have you within a little way of safety.  Girls, are you ready for the last pull?”

Margery was breathing heavily, Hazel, too, was taking short, excited breaths.

“Yes, when you are ready,” answered Hazel.  “Get ready back there, ready to hold fast after the last pull.  Don’t give way the fraction of an inch,” called Harriet.  “This is like things I have read about Alpine climbing, except that I guess they don’t pull them up dangling in this fashion.”

“Pull!” called the guardian.  “Steadily and slowly this time.”

The girls were breathing heavily now.

“Stop!”

“Oh, am I up?” wailed the little, lisping girl.

“Yes.  Now be perfectly quiet.  Harriet, can you help me?”

“Yes.  All hold fast.  I am going to let go.  Step back a little farther, girls.  There!”

“We have it,” shouted Janus.

“We have,” cried Crazy Jane.

Harriet stepped forward.

“Hold up your arm, Tommy,” directed the guardian.  “You take that arm, Harriet.  Now one foot, Tommy.  I’ll take that.  Don’t move about any more than you can help.  Wait!  Her arm first.  Have you got it, Harriet?”

“Yes.”

Snap!  Tommy uttered a wild scream of terror.  Miss Elting was reaching for the upraised foot.