Twice the line was drawn up a little, and the weight of
the basket was still felt. I called for more stones to throw down,
at the same time kicking a loose piece of rock well out, so that it
fell with a loud splash into the deep water. Jessie went about
picking up stones from among the snow, when suddenly an exclamation
escaped her.
"Eh, Hal!" said she; "why here's your magic stone!"
"Impossible!" I exclaimed, unable to believe her.
"I tell you it is, indeed!" she protested; and she brought the
stone to me, holding it in the palm of her hand.
I at once recognized the viking's talisman. And now I felt sure
that Thora was in the cave, and that she had probably dropped the
stone by some accident before going over the brink of the cliff,
for it was at the very edge that Jessie found it.
When I tried the rope again, I felt that the basket was being held.
Then the line was drawn further down, and again set loose, and I
drew it up. The basket had been emptied.
In the afternoon, as the snow had abated, I went out, though
without stating my intention, and returned to the top of the cliff,
determined upon making the descent to the cave and hearing from
Thora her reason for this strange freak of hers, before venturing
to inform them at Crua Breck that I had discovered the girl's
hiding place.
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