CHAPTER XVI

BROKEN STRANDS “Come on up!” Never had invitation sounded more delightful, now that the means had been provided for its acceptance. It was not so easy as it sounded, though, at that. The noose could not be slipped over Jack’s shoulders until he had gotten to his feet. This was accomplished with difficulty, and more than once in the process the young men came near to meeting the fate that they had so far cheated of victory. At last the rope was slipped under Jack’s arms. Mark Lawson tugged stoutly from above and Jac…