By the aid of this rope you can come up
almost as easily as you would climb a ladder. The adventure is
well worth your while."
"And you won't tell us who you are?"
"I have already told you. I am an American soldier of fortune. My
name, if that means anything to you, is Francis Strong, and I
have assumed this character of a mountebank solely for the
purpose of going about the country without being molested. What I
hope to do, is of no interest to any one but myself."
It was a straightforward statement and the boys saw no reason to
doubt its truthfulness.
"All right, then," exclaimed Billie. "Here goes!"
He grasped the rope and lowered himself over the side. It was as
Strong had said and in a very few minutes he found himself at the
bottom. He could see nothing except the dim light at the mouth of
the shaft.
Giving the rope a vigorous shake, as had been agreed upon, he saw
another figure begin to descend, and in a short time Pedro stood
beside him. Strong was next to descend, then came Ambrosio, and
after him Adrian and Donald in the order named--Donald having
determined to be the last, that he might be sure that everything
was safe above ground.
"I should have given you this," was Strong's first remark upon
alighting at Billie's side, and he drew from his pocket an
electric torch.
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