"Well ... there's been some kind of power failure throughout the business district. There aren't any elevators running, and we don't know how long it will be until the power company copes with the trouble."
"No elevators?" repeated Parrish.
He stared at the sliding doors of the elevator shaft as if unable to comprehend the lack of such service. The idea seemed to sink in.
"No elevators? And ninety-nine stories up?"
"Sssh!" said Smith, glancing down the corridor.
"What's the matter with you, Castor?" asked Parrish. "Are you watching for someone ... someone ... oh!"
"See what I'm thinking?" asked Smith.
They faced each other for a moment in silence.
"Well, it ought to be all right, as long as he can get down the stairs if he wants to," said Parrish. "I'm sorry, Beryl. We'll have to make it some other time."
"But how are we going to get home?" asked the blonde.