A tall figure darkened the doorway, and in the glass Anne saw the reflection of her father's face. Without a word, she ran to the open window and jumped out on the fire escape. The others followed nimbly after her. Mr. Pierson turned and rushed down the passage to the side entrance.
"Hurry, Anne!" called David. "He will meet you at the bottom if you don't."
They climbed quickly down the ladder, almost treading on each other's fingers in their haste, and in another moment they were running down an alleyway.
"Another narrow escape," cried Anne, when they were out of danger. "How shall I ever thank you, dear friends?"
"You have already discharged the debt, Anne, by letting us see you act," answered Grace.
"By the way, Grace," commanded David, "own up now. It was you, wasn't it, who started the fire panic?"
"I told you I wouldn't tell," answered Grace, "and I never shall."
"Anne, did she say anything about it in her note?" asked Nora.
"No," said Anne mysteriously, "she never mentioned the word 'fire' at all."
"I feel certain it was you who called 'fire,' Grace," said Jessica.