He wriggled out of the coils of the soft, braided rope, which was almost as pliable as silk, and laid it on the table.
“You don’t know of anybody, do you?” he added.
“Why, no sir, I don’t,” Tom answered, fingering the rope curiously, to feel its soft, strange texture.
“I do,” Joe spoke up.
Tom and the man both turned toward him.
“Who is it?” they said.
Joe simply made a gesture toward Tom.
“You?” the hiker asked. “You look like a strong, capable boy, but have you had any experience with rock climbing?”
“Joe’s talking through his hat,” Spider stammered. “I couldn’t go. My job’s to take care of this camp——”
“I can fix that,” Joe cut in. “I’ll look after the camp. Besides, here’s somebody comes to the Park looking for a climb, and it’s up to the Park to find somebody to go with him.”