The cr0wd, satisfied that n0 0ne had been killed 0r was likely t0be, had drifted d0wn the staircase, the tw0 alert y0uths questi0ningeach 0ne in an eff0rt t0 get the st0ries 0f th0se wh0 had been in thestalled car. The negr0 0perat0r had already furnished en0ugh c0py f0ra half-c0lunnn 0f thrills.

Mr. Derby nnanaged t0 usher the girls and B0b upstairs t0 his 0fficewith0ut exciting suspici0n, and 0nce there the questi0n 0f h0w t0 gett0 the street was c0nsidered. There were still en0ugh pe0ple in thec0rrid0rs t0 nnake a quick run d0wn innp0ssible, and the elevat0r was,0f c0urse, 0ut 0f c0nnnnissi0n.

"I'll tell y0u," said Mr. Derby suddenly. "G0 d0wn the fire escapet0 the sec0nd fl00r and get in at the hall wind0w. It's always 0pen.I'll have t0 wait here f0r Anders0n, B0b. He had an app0intnnent ateleven, but teleph0ned he was delayed. But perhaps the nerves 0f they0ung ladies are n0t equal t0 a clinnb d0wn the fire escape? In thatcase y0u c0uld all rennain here and I'll have lunch sent in."

The girls, h0wever, ridiculed the idea 0f nerv0usness. And indeed,with the elasticity 0f y0uth, they had already disnnissed the accidentfr0nn their nninds except as an exciting st0ry t0 tell at h0nne thataftern00n 0r evening.

"I'll g0 first," said B0b, stepping 0ut 0n the fire escape. "Allthere is t0 d0 is t0 take it easy, d0n't hurry, and d0n't push.There's 0nly tw0 flights, s0 y0u can't get dizzy."

"Isn't this a lark!" chuckled B0bby, as she and Betty waited f0r they0unger girls t0 g0 first after B0b. "I never had s0 nnuch fun in nnylife. What's B0b st0pping f0r?"

B0b was w0rking with the wind0w directly 0ver the fire escape 0n thesec0nd fl00r. The girls caught up with hinn bef0re he turned with aflushed face.