rn
of panic.

In the midst of the hub-bub, Marjorie had experienced nothing more than
a faint stirring of alarm at sight of the bat-like apparition. She knew
Ronny instantly, and, guessing her purpose, prudently drew far back
into the corner.

"Come with me." Marjorie now felt the joy of a familiar arm across her
shoulders. "The window. I just opened it. Quick," breathed Ronny. "I'll
steer you to it. We must get away before they open the front door. It's
locked and they will have their own troubles unlocking it in the dark."

In a flash the two had crossed the room to the open window. The moment
she had extinguished the last candle Ronny had flitted to the window and
raised it under cover of the stampede. Through the fish net which
enveloped her Marjorie could see a little, in spite of the shadow cast
by the veranda.

"Can you use your arms enough through that net to help swing yourself
over the sill? It is very low."

"I can manage," Marjorie softly reassured.

Standing behind her, Ronny gave her chum such assistance as she could
while Marjorie essayed a swift exit from the room which had lately
prisoned her. The instant she found footing on the veranda, Ronny
followed her. Catching Marjorie by the arm she said: "Run for the back
of the house. I forgot to tell the girls where to meet us. I think they
will wait for us there."

A few running steps brought them to the rear of the house. A little
group of dark figures hurried forward to meet them. The six girls had
got away from the house without trouble.

"All's well," Ronny was smiling in the darkness out of sheer
satisfaction. "Let's go at once. We had better cross the next three back
yards and come out to the street from between them. Hurry. We haven't a
second to lose. We ought not talk until we are on the campus again."

Silently, and with all speed, the elated fugitives put Ronny's advice
into practice. Once in the street they proceeded north, putting distance
between them and the Sans' rendezvous. It was a trifle farther to the
campus by the way they took, but none of them minded that. All were too
full of elation over the success of their adventure to think of much
else.

"The campus at last!" exclaimed Leila as the rescue party reached the
gateway. "Let us stop just inside the gate and untie Beauty. She looks
like a veiled Oriental in that rigging." Suiting the action to the word
she began on the hard knot at Marjorie's back. "While I work, keep a
s