There was a ladder leaned against the third and empty beam. He put it into position for the cloaked figure, and ran up it. The rope was hitched to a hook in the cross-piece. He must clasp and lever up his burden by main strength before he could slacken and detach the cord. Then, with an exclamation of relief, he let the body drop upon the sand beneath. He descended the ladder in excitement.
“Anita!” he called.
She had followed, and was at hand. She trembled, and was as pale as death.
“Help me,” he panted—“with this—into the bush.”
He had lifted his end by the shoulders.
“What devil possesses you? I cannot,” she sobbed; “I shall die.”
“Ah, Nariguita! for my sake! There is no danger if thou art brave and expeditious.”
Between them they tugged and trailed their load into the dense undergrowth skirting the open track, and there let it plunge and sink. Ducos removed the domino from the body, rolling and hauling at that irreverently. Then he saw how the wretch had been pinioned, wrists and ankles, beneath.
Carrying the cloak, he hastened back to the gallows. There he cautiously selected from the surplus stock of cord a length of some twelve feet, at either end of which he formed a loop. So, mounting the ladder, over the hook he hitched this cord by one end, and then, swinging himself clear, slid down the rope until he could pass both his feet into the lower hank.
“Voilà!” said he. “Come up and tie me to the other with some little pieces round the waist and knees and neck.”