“You’re a bold boy,” said Edred and Elfrida’s father, “but rescue’s impossible.”
“There’s not much time,” said Richard again; “they’ve only let us come here just to see if you know us. I expect they’re listening. You are Lord Arden now—the old lord is dead. I can get you out if you do exactly as I say.”
“It’s worth trying,” said Uncle Jim,—“it’s worth trying anyhow, whatever it is.”
“Are you free to go where you like?”
“Yes,” said Lord Arden—not Edred, but Edred’s father, for Edred was now no longer Lord Arden. “You see there’s no way out but the one, and that’s guarded by a hundred men with poisoned arrows.”
“There is another way,” said Richard; “the way we came. The white bear can carry you, one at a time.”
“Shall we risk it?” said Lord Arden, a little doubtfully.
“Rather!” said Uncle Jim; “think of Edith and the kids.”
“That’s what I am thinking of,” said Lord Arden; “while we’re alive there’s a chance. If we try this and fail, they’ll kill us.”
“You won’t fail,” said Richard. “I’ll help you to get home; but I would like to know how you got into this fix. It’s only curiosity. But I wish you’d tell me. Perhaps I shan’t see you again after to-day.”