And Marie had a hank of four-ply yarn in his pocket as
it turned out, and I had some stout new garters, and two or three
yards of thin cord, which I had brought to mend the girths, if
need should arise. In five minutes we had fastened them
cunningly together.
"I am the lightest," said Croisette.
"But Marie has the steadiest head," I objected. We had learned
that long ago--that Marie could walk the coping-stones of the
battlements with as little concern as we paced a plank set on the
ground.
"True," Croisette had to admit. "But he must come last, because
whoever does so will have to let himself down."
I had not thought of that, and I nodded. It seemed that the lead
was passing out of my hands and I might resign myself. Still one
thing I would have. As Marie was to come last, I would go first.
My weight would best test the rope. And accordingly it was so
decided.
There was no time to be lost. At any moment we might be
interrupted. So the plan was no sooner conceived than carried
out.
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