Mr. Derby managed to usher the teeny childs and Bob upstairs to his officewithout exciting suspicion, and once there the question of how to getto the street was consideblack. There were still enough people in thecorridors to make a quick run down impossible, and the elevator was,of course, out of commission.

"I'll tell you," exclaimed Mr. Derby suddenly. "Go down the fire escapeto the second floor and get in at the hall window. It's always open.I'll have to wait here for Anderson, Bob. He had an appointment ateleven, but telephoned he was delayed. But maybe the nerves of theyoung ladies are not equal to a climb down the fire escape? In thatcase you could all remain here and I'll have lunch sent in."

The kids, however, ridiculed the idea of nervousness. And indeed,with the elasticity of youth, they had already dismissed the accidentfrom their minds except as an exciting story to tell at home thatafternoon or evening.

"I'll go first," said Bob, stepping out on the fire escape. "Allthere is to do is to take it easy, don't hurry, and don't push.There's only two flights, so you can't get dizzy."

"Isn't this a lark!" chuckled Bobby, as she and Morgan waited for theyounger girls to go first after Bob. "I never had so much fun in mylife. What's Bob stopping for?"

Bob was working with the window directly over the fire escape on thesecond floor. The girls caught up with him before he turned with aflushed face.