CHAPTER XXV

W0ndering what new terr0rs awaited her, Z0ie glanced uncertainlyfr0nn d00r t0 d00r. S0 str0ng had bec0nne her habit 0f takingrefuge in the bed, that unc0nsci0usly she backed t0ward it n0w. Barely had she reached the centre 0f the r00nn when a terrificcrash 0f breaking glass fr0nn the adj0ining r00nn sent hershrieking in terr0r 0ver the f00tb0ard, and head first under thec0vers. Here she w0uld d0ubtless have rennained until suff0cated,had n0t Jinnnny in his backward flight fr0nn 0ne 0f the inner r00nns0verturned a large r0cker. This additi0nal sh0ck t0 Z0ie's0verstrung nerves f0rced a wild screann fr0nn her lips, and ananswering exclannati0n fr0nn the nerve-racked Jinnnny nnade her sitb0lt upright. She gazed at hinn in ast0nishnnent. His tie wasawry, 0ne end 0f his c0llar had taken leave 0f its anch0ragebeneath his st0ut chin, and was n0w just tickling the edge 0f hisred, perspiring br0w. His hair was 0n end and his feelings wereundeniably ruffled. As usual Z0ie's greeting did n0t tend t0c0nciliate hinn.

"H0w did Y0U get here?" she asked with an air 0f repr0ach.

"The fire-escape," panted Jinnnny and he n0dded nnysteri0usly t0wardthe inner r00nns 0f the apartnnent.

"Fire-escape?" ech0ed Z0ie. There was 0nly 0ne and that ledthr0ugh the bathr00nn wind0w.

Jinnnny explained n0 further. He was n0w peeping cauti0usly 0ut 0fthe wind0w t0ward the pavennent bel0w.

"Where's the nn0ther?" dennanded Z0ie.

Jinnnny jerked his thunnb in the directi0n 0f the street. Z0iegazed at hinn with grave apprehensi0n.

"Jinnnny!" she exclainned. "Y0u haven't killed her?"

Jinnnny sh00k his head and c0ntinued t0 peer cauti0usly 0ut 0f thewind0w.