to go down three steps and it made the floor an
English basement. The floor above that was much higher than most
ground floors and yet lower than most second floors. Ted crept along
the narrow ledge holding on to such supports as were there. He reached
a big window and by careful manipulation and urging the boy managed to
force it open.

He crawled in. Spot's suit was very useful now, for it held matches.
Ted did not intend to use any unless he had to, but the building was
strange to him and the occasion for the use of them might arise. He
knew that he would have two floors to travel, the one to the basement
and the one to the cellar. He got down the one floor without mishap.
He was about to begin the exploration of that floor for the entrance
to the cellar, when he heard the key being inserted into the street
door.

His heart leaped within him. Two people entered, a man and woman. They
switched on a light. If these people had come thirty seconds earlier
he would have been caught coming down the stairs, Ted thought, as he
crouched behind the turn of the staircase.

"It was nice of you to see me home, Mr. Erkin," said the young lady.
"Will you be good enough to let the light burn, as some of the folks
are not in yet? Come and see me some time."

"Good-night, thank you, I will," the man answered and left.

The boy thought, "Well, I certainly should be called Lucky. Here I
wonder how to find an entrance to the cellar and they are kind enough
to turn on a light for me."

It was fairly easy for Ted to find his way now, but because of the
light he had to use even greater care.

The cellar seemed deserted, when he got there. It was pitch dark and
it took several minutes for him to grow accustomed to the extreme
darkness. Then he heard the faint murmur of voices.

Strong and Walker had slept fitfully and had been wide awake at
various times. Strong had again been awakened and was insisting that
Walker listen to him.

As Ted drew nearer, he heard Strong say, "I don't think, the way I
feel, I shall ever be able to move again. But if I knew that Ted was
just the least bit successful I could be forever content."

"The poor child--if he did anything at all," Walker answered, "it
would be wonderful. It's a man's job, what, then, could a boy do?"

As if in answer to the question, they heard a low voice call, "Mr.
Strong, Mr. Strong!"

"Who is that?" the startled voice of Strong demanded.

"It's me, Ted!" said that ung