CHAPTER XXIII
LEFT BEHIND IN THE ENEMY COUNTRY
Tom appeared finally to be satisfied, for he turned around to Bessie.
"Now if you're ready we'll lower you safely," he told her.
The girl showed considerable nimbleness in climbing over the window-sill. Jack insisted in having a hand in dropping her slowly down. It was not far, and in a few breaths the girl had reached the solid ground. She understood what was expected of her, and immediately cast off the rude rope, so it might be drawn up and made to serve once more.
Mrs. Gleason showed just as much bravery as her daughter, and was also lowered without trouble.
"You go down next, Tom," whispered Jack. "Then I'll draw it up, and can join you easily enough without the help of the rope. A white thing like this dangling here would be sure to attract attention, if any one came around the corner of the house, and might cost us dearly in the end."
Tom understood. He preferred being the last to stay, but since Jack had taken that
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