Terry-Kane looked about for something to fasten the rope to. In the wall at one side was a great iron ring, embedded in the stone. What it had been used for once upon a time nobody could imagine — but certainly it would be of great use now!

There were no pegs in the first yard or so of the rope. Terry-Kane and Julian cut off the string that had pulled it up, and then dragged the thick rope through the iron ring. They dragged it right through until the first peg stopped it. Then they twisted the rope-end round upon itself and made great strong knots that could not slip.

Julian took hold of the rope, and leaned back hard on it, pulling it with all his strength. “It would hold a dozen of us at once!” he said, pleased. “Shall I go first, sir? I can help everyone else down then, if I’m at the bottom. Dick and you can see to the girls when they climb out.”

“What about Timmy?” asked George, at once.

“We’ll wrap him up in the rug, tie him firmly and lower him down on the string,” said Dick. “It’s very strong string — thin rope, really.”

“I’ll go down now,” said Julian, and went to the window. Then he stopped. Someone was clattering up the stone steps that led to the tower. Someone was at the door! Who could it be?

Chapter Twenty-One

In the tower room

The door was flung open, and a man stood there, panting. Behind him came three others.

“Pottersham!” said Terry-Kane. “So you’re back!”

“Yes. I’m back,” said the panting man.

Timmy began to bark and try to escape from George’s hand. He showed his teeth and all his hackles rose up on his neck. He looked a very savage dog indeed.

Pottersham backed away. He didn’t like the look of Timmy at all! “If you let that dog go, I’ll shoot him,” he said, and as if by magic a gun appeared in his right hand.

George tried her hardest to restrain the furious Timmy, and called to Julian to help her. “Julian, hold him as well. He’ll fling himself on that man, he’s so angry.”

Julian went to help. Between them they forced the furious dog back into a corner, where George tried in vain to pacify him. She was terrified that he might be shot.

“You can’t behave like this, Pottersham,” began Terry-Kane, but he was cut short.

“We’ve no time to lose. We’re taking you, Terry-Kane, and one of the kids. We can use him for a hostage if too much fuss is made about your disappearance. We’ll take this boy,” and he grabbed at Dick. Dick gave him a punch on the jaw immediately, thanking his stars that he had learnt boxing at school. But he at once found himself on the floor! These men were not standing for any nonsense. They were in a hurry!