Step by step she pulled herself up the tall pole until she reached the top; then she gave a low cry of surprise, for it was there that the wire had been cut!
Fortunately for her purpose, it had been cut on the side nearer to Camp’s Gulch, and about two feet from the pole. She therefore dragged the cut end of the wire round until it reached the lightning conductor, thus making the circuit complete. Then, tapping it on the rod, she sent her imploring appeal to Bratley.
But it was nearly eight o’clock, perhaps even past that hour, and Gertrude’s office might be shut up, so, after having twice repeated her message of distress to Bratley, she sent an appeal all the way to Lytton, being determined that some one should know of the desperate strait she was in.
It was harder work coming down the pole than it had been going up, and when at length the bottom was reached in safety, she was trembling so much with the fearful strain of her achievement that again she had to lie down to recover a little.
Full well she realized that the greatest danger was yet to come, and that the time of waiting for help to arrive was the most anxious and hazardous of all.
If Joey Trip had only been at home it would not have been so bad. But, since a stone-deaf woman was practically as useless as no one, she was to all intents and purposes alone.
Back she went as fast as she could travel, only now there was a clutching fear at her heart, and she started at every sound, real or imaginary.
Mrs. Trip was standing at the door, peering out, when Nell came in sight, walking leisurely now because she did not want to frighten the old woman too soon.
“Come in, child. What do you want to go wandering round at night for, just as if you were an owl? I’ve made you a real nice pancake for your supper, and there’s honey as well, because of its being your birthday,” said the old woman, laying her hand affectionately on Nell’s shoulder. Then, because something in the girl’s strained white face and troubled eyes arrested her attention, she asked sharply, “What is it? What’s the matter, child? Has aught of harm come to Joey?”
“No; it isn’t Mr. Trip. But I’m afraid there is mischief afoot,” whispered Nell.