She looked up into his set face, and although the strain was heavy he thrilled as he saw her smile. The smile indicated courage and trust.
“I'm quite safe,” she said, and he let her go.
She leaned cautiously over the next edge, but after a moment or two turned and waved her hand.
“This is the way I thought. Send Alison down.”
Miss Jardine descended with some help from both, and Festing dropped safely on the gravel. He leaned against the rock to get his breath, and Helen turned to him with a twinkle.
“You doubted my nerve once. I suppose that was why you didn't let go.”
“I'm sometimes dull,” said Festing. “Just now, however, I wanted to make certain I could help you back.”
Helen laughed. “Well, I dare say you could have lifted me, but it would have been simpler to lower me your coat.”
They went down the gully, where jambed stones made rude steps, and reaching the bottom found a belt of grass that led them to the head of a dale. The mist was thinner, and presently a few scattered houses appeared across the fields. The path they followed forked, and Helen stopped at the turning.
“The hotel is yonder to the right,” she said. “We are going to the hall, where they sometimes take people in.”