"Quick, the trapdoor!" Hortense cried.
"Let me fight him!" Malay Kris begged.
"No, no, not here!" Hortense said and pushed him before her.
Down the ladder they went as fast as they could, which wasn't very fast, for the iron rungs were slippery and Hortense had to feel for each one with her feet. Highboy was before her and once she stepped on his fingers.
"Ouch!" Highboy cried, and stopped to put his fingers in his mouth.
"Do hurry," Hortense begged, for she could hear Grater above her, already beginning to descend.
But Highboy was distressingly slow. Grater came nearer and nearer.
"Oh, dear!" Hortense said to herself, "he'll catch me in a moment and take my charm."
Then she had an inspiration. Quickly unclasping the charm, she reached down to Highboy and said, "Swallow this, quick!"
"Is it can——," Highboy began but could say no more, for she crammed it into his mouth.