“If the young lady won’t mind getting into this, we will lower her handsomely,” he observed; “and she shall be safe at the bottom in less than no time.”
Reginald explained to Nuna what was necessary, and she at once consented to be placed in the cradle, into which she was carefully fastened with Reginald and Dick’s handkerchiefs.
“I hear some one moving below,” whispered Sambro. “No time to lose;” and Reginald and Dick carefully lowered Nuna over the wall, and let her slowly descend, while Sambro kept watch on the trap. The end of the rope had been secured to some ironwork on the roof, and it was an immense relief when Reginald felt that Nuna had safely reached the ground.
“Now, sir, you go down by the rope, and take care of the young lady,” said Dick, “and I will make the black find his way down by the ladder.”
Before Reginald had reached the bottom, Buxsoo had released Nuna, who expressed her thankfulness at finding Reginald by her side.
“We must wait for our two followers before we take to flight,” he said. “We will then endeavour to get to a distance from the place. Here comes one of them.”
As he spoke, Sambro was seen descending the ladder. Before he reached the bottom, however, the sound of men struggling was heard, with the loud cries of a native, responded to by Dick Thuddichum’s gruff voice.
“I must go and assist my faithful follower,” exclaimed Reginald, preparing to ascend the ladder.
“Oh, do not leave me,” cried Nuna.
The sound of the struggling now became more distinct. For a moment it ceased, and then a noise followed, as if a heavy body had fallen to the ground, apparently on the other side of the tower. Reginald sprang to the spot, dreading to find that it was that of honest Dick; but the white dress which covered the mangled heap of humanity showed him that it was a native who had been thrown down from that fearful height. Hurrying back, he caught sight of Dick rapidly descending the rope.