Phipps.
"I didn't. I heard about the explosion, so I came in here to see if
my cave had been harmed any."
"You knew we were right under it, then?"
"Of course. How stupid you are!"
"Where is your cave?"
"I'm in it."
"Yes, I understand that, but where?"
"You ask too many questions."
"Say, young lady, can you find a rope that will reach down to us?"
asked Tad, who had been turning over a plan in his mind.
"I guess."
"Please do so then. And hurry, won't you?"
"You will ask no questions?"
"Certainly not!"
"You won't try to find out anything about my cave?"
"No, no, of course not," answered Mr. Phipps impatiently.
"And you will do as I tell you?"
"Yes."
"All right. I'll be back in a minute."
Mr. Phipps sat down nonplussed. "I never was so mixed up in my life,"
he grumbled. "I can't understand it at all. How did she ever get
there?"
"She says it's a cave," suggested Tad.
"But I know of no caves about here."
Tad shrugged his shoulders. That there was one and through it a
prospect of their being liberated from their unpleasant and perilous
position, was enough for him to know.
"Hello," shouted the girl after a few minutes.
"Yes, did you get the rope?" called Tad excitedly.
"Uh-huh."
"Then drop the end of it down."
A heavy coil hit Tad on the top of his head, nearly knocking him down.
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