A faint cheer tinged with dread went up from the suspenseful throng. The daylight faded utterly—night came down over all the impressive scene, and only very dimly visible was the form of Will Bertram, returning to earth by the way he had left it.
At last tower, steeple and boy were a black blur against the darkened sky. A timid watcher shrieked outright as some object from above went whirling past him.
“What is it?” inquired a dozen eager voices.
“The rope! he has reached the base of the tower! he is safe!”
The stranger who had offered the money had grown very pale. His hat, dropped off in the excitement and suspense for the boy, was disregarded.
He turned to the side of the building and an exclamation of delight parted his lips as past a ledge of masonry a form came down a rope.
The rope was not long enough to reach the ground.
“Drop!” he cried, stretching out his arms.
One minute later, the centre of a surging, excited throng, Will Bertram had regained terra firma in safety.