“Hanging—to—the—scoop!” sang out the inventor.

And there, up near the roof, I located him, dangling from the Crano-Scale coal-scuttle!

“What are you going to do next?” I asked, with some interest.

“I—I—I can't—can't hang on long here!”

“I should say not.”

“Well, climb out and tell them to lower the crane!” screamed Hawkins.

I looked around. Right and left, before and behind, rose a mountain of loose coal. I essayed to climb nimbly toward the door which the Crano-Scale had used, and suddenly landed on my hands and knees.

“Are—you—out?” shrieked Hawkins. “I can't stick here!”

“And I can't get out!” I replied.

“Well, you—ouch!”