This, in fact, seemed to be his only chance. Using the wall as a ladder, he began cautiously to ascend. More than once he came near falling a second time, but by greatest exertion he finally reached the rope. He did not dare to trust to it entirely, but contrived to ascend as before, clinging to the rope with his hands. He was in constant fear that it would break a second time, but the strain upon it was not so great, and finally, much to his delight, he reached the top.
He breathed a deep sigh of relief when he found himself once more on _terra firma_. He looked about him cautiously, under the apprehension that Rudolph might be near by, and ready to attack him again. But, as we know, his fears were groundless.
"He made sure that I was disposed of," thought Tony. "What could have induced him to attempt my life? Can it be true, as he said, that I am heir to a fortune? Why couldn't he tell me? I would have paid him well for the information when I got my money. Then he said he knew who I was--I care more for that than the money."
But Tony could not dwell upon these thoughts. The claims of duty were paramount. He must seek the horse, and go back to the hotel. He had been detained already for nearly three-quarters of an hour, and they would be wondering what had become of him.
He made his way as quickly as possible to where he had tied the horse. But he looked for him in vain. He had been untied and led away--perhaps stolen. Tony felt assured that the horse of himself could not leave the spot.
"It must be Rudolph," he said to himself. "He has made off with the horse. Now I am in trouble. What will Mr. Porter say to me?"
Tony was in error, as we know, in concluding that Rudolph had carried away the horse. The tramp had no use for him. Besides, he knew that such a proceeding would have exposed him to suspicion, which it was very important for him to avoid.
Who, then, had taken the horse? That is a question which we are able to answer, though Tony could not.
Fifteen minutes before Sam Payson, whose place Tom had taken, with a companion, Ben Hardy, while wandering through the woods had espied a horse.
"So it is," said Sam. "It's rather odd that he should be tied here."
Sam had been examining him carefully, and had recognized him.