“Sure it’ll be all right,” Dillon said, and he jerked his head to Roxy. They walked slowly down the street, keeping on the opposite side of Ernie’s place.
“We’ll go round the back,” Dillon said, “Maybe he’s got a fire-escape or somethin’.”
Roxy nodded. He was feeling bad.
At the end of the street they crossed over and cut down an alley. They came down along the back of the buildings. Dillon counted each building carefully, then he stopped. “This is it,” he said.
They stood in the darkness and stared up Dimly they could see a fire-escape straggling up into the darkness.
Dillon moved forward cautiously. He could see the swing-up several feet above his head.
“If I give you a back, you can reach it,” he said to Roxy.
Roxy came forward reluctantly. “You’re goin’ to start somethin’ in this joint,” he said uneasily.
“Yeah!” Dillon leant against the wall. “You’re goddam right. I am.”
Roxy put his small shoe in Dillon’s hands and Dillon hoisted him up. The swing-up came within reach of Roxy’s fingers. He pulled gently, bringing the escape down slowly. It made no noise.