e street!"

Whereupon she led the way back of the boxes and into the wings, followed
by her friends, who looked curiously about them at the unusual sight.

"What a queer place," said Grace, "and how smudgy the scenery looks! Are
these little places dressing rooms, Anne?"

"Yes," answered Anne. "You see, it's all horrid when you are close. And
the life is worse--riding almost every day on smoky trains and spending
each night in a different place. The people are so different, too. I
would rather go to Oakdale High School," she exclaimed, "than be the
greatest actress in the world."

They were standing in one of the larger dressing rooms while Anne
endeavored to wipe the powder and rouge from her face with a pocket
handkerchief.

A tall figure darkened the doorway, and in the glass Anne saw the
reflection of her father's face. Without a word, she ran to the open
window and jumped out on the fire escape. The others followed nimbly
after her. Mr. Pierson turned and rushed down the passage to the side
entrance.

"Hurry, Anne!" called David. "He will meet you at the bottom if you
don't."

They climbed quickly down the ladder, almost treading on each other's
fingers in their haste, and in another moment they were running down an
alleyway.

"Another narrow escape," cried Anne, when they were out of danger. "How
shall I ever thank you, dear friends?"

"You have already discharged the debt, Anne, by letting us see you act,"
answered Grace.

"By the way, Grace," commanded David, "own up now. It was you, wasn't
it, who started the fire panic?"

"I told you I wouldn't tell," answered Grace, "and I never shall."

"Anne, did she say anything about it in her note?" asked Nora.

"No," said Anne mysteriously, "she never mentioned the word 'fire' at
all."

"I feel certain it was you who called 'fire,' Grace," said Jessica.

"I'll never, never tell," cried Grace teasingly; "so you'll never, never
know."

She turned in at her own gate and to this day the mystery is still
unsolved.

CHAPTER XI

MRS. GRAY'S ADOPTED DAUGHTERS

After Mrs. Gray's luncheon party in honor of Grace and her three friends
a tiny little idea had implanted itself in her mind. As the weeks rolled
on, and Christmas holidays approached, it grew and spread into a real
plan which occupied her thoughts a considerable part of every day.

As a secretary Anne had turned out admirably. The only drawback was that
Mrs. Gray could not see enough o