'Mother!'
In a tempest of conflicting feelings—fear for Jack, horror at what had been revealed, she gasped: 'You say that, mother!'
Jane Marley shrank back.
But Winefred could not even now withdraw eyes and mind, save for one staggering moment, from the swaying rope and the green shelf.
She saw Jack issue from the depths of the cave, come to the verge, and look at the pole. It was beyond his reach.
Then he tried the side of the rock to which he had adhered as he worked his way forward to the cave. Apparently that way could not be retraced. He attempted it, but retreated, foiled.
Then again he stood on the turf, measuring his distance.
There was but one way of escape possible, and that was to reach the rope and pendent pole.
He drew back.
A piercing shriek burst from the lips of Winefred, as, next moment, she saw him leap—leap towards the suspended crosspole.