Chapter Two.
Behind the Stair.
Fred was up again in a moment, ready to pass his arms through and help his friend; but the latter had already recovered himself, and was holding on with both hands, now staring between the balusters like a wild beast through the bars of his cage.
“What’s the matter?” he said.
“I thought you were falling. Which one broke?”
“I don’t know; neither of them.”
“But what was that clacking noise?”
“I don’t know. The baluster seemed to turn half round, and then fly back as if it had a spring at the bottom.”
“I know! Look here. It wrenched this stair loose. I trod on it, and that’s what made me fall.”