r corner of the room
ran two leaden water-pipes. Into one of these he cut and drilled with
his pocket-knife, ruthlessly, without a moment's hesitation. He was
suddenly rewarded by a thin jet of water spraying him in the face. He
caught his hat full of it, and carried it to Frank, who drank from it,
feverishly and deeply. It not only brought her strength back to her;
but, after it, she could speak a little, though huskily, and with
considerable pain.

"Can you walk?"

She signalled, yes.

"We've got to get out of here, at once!"

He could see that she understood.

"Can you come now?" he asked.

She nodded her head, and he helped her to her feet. Together, the one
leaning heavily on the other's arm, they paced up and down the already
flooded floor, until power came back to her aching limbs, and
steadiness to her tired nerves.

"It would be better not to go together. I'll help you out and give you
fifty yards' start. If anything should happen, remember that I'm
behind you, and that, after this, I'm ready to shoot, and shoot without
a quaver."

Again she nodded her head.

"But listen. When you get up through the sidewalk grating, keep
steadily on for two blocks, toward the west. Then turn north for half
a block, and go into the family entrance at Kieffer's. If nothing
happens, I'll join you there. If anything does occur to keep me back,
give them to understand that you've missed the last train for your home
in East Orange; put this five-dollar bill down and ask for a front room
on the second floor. From there you must watch for me. If it's
anything dangerous I'll signal you in passing."

By this time he had led her down the narrow, tunnel-like passageway and
was helping her up into the rain-swept street.

"Whatever happens, remember that I'm behind you!" he repeated.

Their struggles, as he assisted her up through the narrow opening, were
ungainly and ludicrous; yet, incongruously enough, there came to him a
fleeting sense of joy in even that accidental and impersonal contact of
her hand with his.

Then he braced himself against the narrow brick walls where he stood,
appearing a strange and grotesque and bodiless head above the level of
the street.

Thus peering out, he watched her as she beat her way down the
wind-swept sidewalk. Already, through the drifting midnight rain, the
outline of her figure was losing its distinctness. He was reaching
down for his wet and sodden hat, to follow h