Tad grasped the rope, and swinging himself clear of the floor, jounced up and down several times.
"I guess it will hold. I'll go up first to see that the rope is secure; then the rest of you can follow me up."
"Why, I couldn't climb that rope to save my life," objected Mr.
Phipps.
"I'll fix it so you can. I'll tie some knots in it, then climbing will be easy."
With that Tad once more swung clear of the floor and went up hand over hand with amazing rapidity. By the light of their matches they saw him disappear through the hole in the roof of the chamber.
"It's all right, fellows," he called down to the others. "I'll just haul up the rope and fix it for you."
This he did, letting the rope down to them a few moments later.
Walter was the first to try the climb.
"I can't do it, Tad. I just can't," he cried, slipping back to the floor where he landed in a heap.
"Hold the rope down for him, then he ought to be able to make it," directed Tad.
Walter, however, had apparently lost his courage and declared that he could not do it.