Helmford heard no cry from below; but he saw the rope slipping and realized that there was a burden on it that was doomed, unless he interfered, to be dashed into the breakers clawing so madly at the face of the bluff. With a shout he leaped upon the slipping hemp with both feet, just as the crowbar tore loose. That was the moment when 'Liphalet Truitt felt himself and Miss Sue drop a sudden, nerve-racking foot down the wall of the precipice. "She's goin'!" the ex-steward repeated as the broken earth rattled about them. That an avalanche had started--that the entire face of the cliff was about to fall into the sea--he had little doubt. He tore his hands painfully in lifting himself and Miss Sue up again to the edge of the caving bank. They would never have made it had not two muscular hands seized 'Liphalet's coat collar and dragged him up to the path. He lost the rope, scrambling blindly on hands and knees, the woman still clinging to him. The crowbar broke loose entirely and, with the rope, hurtled over the brink of the cliff. With a burst of sound that rose above the clamor of both gale and sea, the landslip broke away from the brow of the precipice. The men and the woman almost hung over the ragged break for an instant. Then Helmford pulled the others farther in and raised Miss Sue gently to her feet. "Miss Sue? Great heavens!" cried the young fellow. "What does this mean?" "By Hannah!" ejaculated the ex-steward, scrambling up, "there goes old Suz Montevedo's new line and crowbar." "Oh, 'Liphalet!" cried Miss Sue. "Are we safe?" "You ain't--not yet," he declared. "Nor you won't be till we get you home an' 'tween blankets. Who's this? By Hannah, 'tis Mr. Helmford! You sartainly was a friend in need, Mr. Helmford. If it hadn't been for your help we'd have gone down along o' the line _an'_ the crowbar." "How can we thank him?" murmured Miss Sue, still clinging to 'Liphalet's coat sleeve. "You can postpone that," laughed Helmford, experiencing a great revulsion of feeling. "We must take her right along to Cap'n Abe's store, 'Liphalet. That is about the nearest shelter, isn't it?" "It's the best place, anyhow," said the ex-steward. "We can get a buggy to get her home in, from there." "Oh, I can walk, 'Liphalet," said the little woman softly. But she was thankful for the support of a strong arm on either side as they started along the path with the gale behind them. "This experience, Susan, is enough to give you your never git over," said the anxious 'Liphalet. "Why, I'm neither sugar nor salt, 'Liphalet. I have the use of my limbs yet. And there's a lot to do to-day. There's the chapel to trim yet, and the Christmas tree." "Christmas----" He could not say it. The disgusted snort which had become almost an involuntary ejaculation when he was reminded of the Yuletide season, was cut off on his lips as Miss Sue continued: "Were you not going to the chapel to help, Mr. Helmford? I asked Pearly to go and take charge."