Guy obeyed instructions, and Canaris rapidly drew the string up. He then speedily hooked a second rope to the wall and dropped it down.
“Fasten Forbes to one rope, and come up the other yourself,” he called out to Chutney.
Here a difficulty arose. Melton was, of course, unable to climb the rope, and if a noose were slipped under his arms the wound would be torn and lacerated by the strain.
“It’s no use, Chutney,” he said. “I foresaw this. You must get off without me.”
Guy was in despair. He was just on the point of bidding Canaris make his escape alone, when a happy thought struck him.
“I have it, Melton,” he cried joyfully. “Have you much power in your arms?”
“Yes,” said Melton, “but not enough to go up that rope.”
“That’s all right. I don’t want you to go up the rope,” returned Guy. “Here, put your feet together and stand straight.”
Hastily noosing the rope, he drew the knot tightly about Melton’s legs just above the knee.
“You take a good grip with your hands,” he added. “There won’t be much strain on your wound and we’ll have you on the top in a jiffy.”