He found, black and startling against the starlight beyond, a small rubber balloon, such as children love, bobbing up and down across the window; tied to it was a delicate silk fishline, which furnished the motive power.

As this was pulled in or paid out the balloon scraped by the window, and a pocket-size cigar clipper, tied beneath at the end of a six-inch string, tinkled and scratched on the iron bars.

Pete lit his lamp; the little balloon at once became stationary.
"This," said Pete, grinning hugely, "is the doings of that Selden kid.
She is certainly one fine small person!" Pete turned the lamp low and placed it on the floor at his feet, so that it should not unduly shape him against the window; he pulled gently on the line.

It gave; a guarded whistle came softly from the dark shadow of the jail.

Pete detached the captive balloon, with a blessing, and pulled in the fishline.