“But how did you manage to bring the rope with you?” asked Ned.
“I can’t tell,” was the answer. “I think I must have fallen the last few feet, for when I struck the rock the rope came tumbling down on my head. Suppose it had broken away before I reached the bottom,” he added with a shudder, “then I should have been lying out there where those other masses of crushed flesh are lying. It was horrible!”
Ned took the cord into his hand and examined it, being careful to step farther into the entrance as he did so, and to turn the light of his electric to the rear.
“The rope was cut!” he said shortly.
“My God!” gasped the fat clerk.
“Cheer up!” Jimmie whispered. “The entertainment has just commenced!”
“Let us get away from this awful place!” pleaded Gilroy.
“I’m agreeable,” Jimmie responded. “I’m not stuck on this job myself. Let’s go up to the office and get our time!”
“Keep still, you little grouch!” whispered Ned. “Gilroy is having troubles of his own just now. Don’t pester him.”
“Oh, well,” Jimmie said, “if my cheerful conversation isn’t appreciated here, I’ll go back and unload some of it on Harry.”