of, hang at full
length from the coping and drop on to the flags beneath. The men had
done it, but they were men, and it was a big drop even for them, and
they haven't got nerves like girls, or skirts, or slippers with heels.
I was frightened out of my wits, but I knew that every moment I thought
about it I should be more frightened still, so I just told Vere what I
was going to do--and did it!

I can't write about it; it makes me feel queer even now! The awful
moment when you get over and swing into space; and the feeling that you
must look down, the ache in your hands as you cling on, and the terror
of leaving go! Mental pain is worse than physical, so it was really a
relief to reach the ground, even though one foot did go over, and a pain
like a red-hot poker shot up the leg. I thought I had broken the foot
to pieces, but it was only the ankle that was sprained, and I could limp
along, in a fashion, though so slowly that it took ages to get round to
the front of the house. At another time I suppose I should have sat
still and howled; but you don't think of pain when it is a case of life
and death, and I knew there was no time to spare.

It could not really have been very long since we left father's room, but
already the scene was quite changed. The alarm bell had roused the
neighbourhood, and there was quite a little crowd on the lawn. I saw at
a glance how it was that we had not been missed. The servants had
rushed upstairs to the third storey, and were grouped together at a
window there screaming and calling for help, while the poor men worked
hard at lengthening the ladders. At a distance, and through the clouds
of smoke, it was impossible to distinguish one figure from another, and
everyone had taken for granted that we were there with the rest. Nobody
noticed me hobbling forward till I got close up to the workers, and saw
a well-known grey figure busy with the ropes. I pulled at his arm, and
he lifted a white face, then leapt to his feet and seized me by both
hands.

"You, Una! Here! Thank God! How is it possible? Which way did you
come?"

"Out of a window--but, oh, don't talk--you must save Vere first! Round
at the back--now--at once! I'll show you the way, but I can't walk, my
foot is hurt--"

I felt as if I could not keep up a moment longer, but Will picked me up
in his arms as if I had been a baby, and said soothingly--

"There! Now think quietly for one moment, and tell me what we s