Why, they could even
bring a book and curl up in the shelter of the boxes and read. As it was
still too chilly to go out there was no way, during the winter months,
but to huddle somewhere under the machinery of the factory and eat one's
lunch. Peter detested the arrangement, unavoidable as it was, and always
rejoiced when the noon hour was over.

But here was an escape from such disagreeable conditions. Here was an
unused room! Why should it not become a refuge from the noise, the dirt,
and the turmoil of the factory? The plan seemed innocent enough, and
when Peter confided it to Nat neither of them could see the slightest
objection to it. In consequence, at noon time they crept up-stairs, and
arranged a cozy little corner for themselves behind the packing-cases.
It was almost as good as playing Robinson Crusoe, this building a
fortress and hiding inside it. Then, too, the constant chance of being
discovered provided just the necessary tremor of excitement to make it
interesting. What fun it was! They called their stronghold Sterling
Castle, and many a joke and jibe they made concerning it--jokes at which
they laughed heartily when they were by themselves.

The vast empty space, they learned by cautious questioning, had
originally been intended as a supply room; it was found, however, that
it was not needed for this purpose and therefore it had been left in its
present unoccupied condition.

There seemed not an iota of possibility that the place would ever be
used and Peter and Nat exulted in the fact that they might lunch there
undisturbed for the rest of their days if they so desired. For weeks
they spent every noon hour in the sunshine behind their barricade
talking softly together, eating their luncheon, and sometimes reading
aloud.

Then came calamity.

It was on a sharp April day when the shelter of their sunny corner was
especially welcome. Peter had just been rolling out one of the most
stirring chapters of "Ivanhoe" when suddenly he paused, listening
intently.

"It's the elevator!" he whispered. "It is stopping at this floor.
Somebody is getting out, Nat."

"Who can it be?"

"Hush!"

The two boys kept very still.

Steps and voices came nearer.

"Yes, every floor is protected by fire-escapes, as you see," declared a
voice.

"It is some insurance man," breathed Peter. "Don't move, Nat."

"Have you hand extinguishers here also?"

"Yes, at each corner of the room and on the walls."

"This flo