when his attention was attracted by shouts from below. Peering down he
was astonished to see Matthew rapidly climbing the yew. The same
thought had struck him also! Up the climber swarmed, higher and
higher. Then he began without hesitation to crawl along some of the
topmost branches that overhung the library roof. Outwards he crept,
embracing tightly half a dozen of the long thin boughs; they seemed
but little more than twigs.

"You'll be dashed to pieces!" Mary cried; "go back, go back!"

"Haven't you a rope anywhere?" George asked eagerly.

"Every rope and ladder locked up in the stable yard," was the
breathless reply, "and the men away. This is our only chance. Catch
hold."

As Matthew spoke, the end of the long swaying branches, swinging ever
lower, came down to the roof, and a good yard or more of the greenery
was within George's grasp. Matthew lay at full length on his
collection of boughs in order that his weight might keep the ends
down. It was a precarious position truly, but Matthew was very light,
and had absolutely no fear for himself.

"Lash her well to three or four of the strongest of the boughs," he
said hurriedly; "give the rope half a dozen good turns about her waist
and the boughs. They are yew and very tough. Quick!"

Hardly knowing what he was doing, George obeyed. He was a bit of a
sailor, and in a couple of minutes he had bound the child to the
branches in a way to satisfy even Matthew, who still lay amongst the