"It's Tad! It's Tad!" He's signaling us," cried Ned eagerly.

"Are you sure?" asked the Professor doubtfully.

"Come and see for yourself," answered Ned, grasping the Professor by
the arm and rushing him to the edge.

"Be careful! Be careful! You'll have both of us over there, next
thing you know."

"Judging from the experiences of our friends, it wouldn't do us much
harm," laughed Ned. "There's Tad Butler down there. Goodness knows
how far he fell, and Chunky got a bump that would have knocked the
breath out of almost anyone. Hooray, T-a-d!" roared Ned in answer to
his companion's signal. "Are you all right?"

The tiny piece of cloth waved more emphatically.

"What's the matter, can't you talk?"

The handkerchief fluttered more rapidly.

Ned interpreted this as meaning that the boy could not make himself
heard.

"I am afraid he is hurt."

"Can't be very seriously or he would be unable to stand up and swing
that rag," suggested Walter.