“It’s too far,” answered Bunny. “Maybe I can get the door open now. I’ll try again.”
He did try, but the door was still locked. Then, almost ready to cry, the children went out on the fire escape and looked around. They could see a factory yard, littered with broken machinery and old tins, and around it all was a high fence. They could see no one to whom to call for help.
Sue was just going to cry and Bunny was trying to think of some way of jumping or climbing down to go for help, leaving Sue on the platform, when suddenly a man’s voice called:
“What are you children doing there?”
Bunny looked down and saw a man in the factory yard. He seemed to be a watchman or a caretaker, as, later, he proved to be. Once more he called:
“What are you children doing there?”
“We’re lost,” explained Bunny. “We’re looking for our trick dog, and we came in here and a door slammed shut and there’s no ladder to get down this fire escape.”
“Oh, I see,” said the man. “Yes, I know about that door. It has a very strong lock on it and I can’t get the key. But if you’ll wait there a minute I’ll get you down.”
“How?” asked Bunny.
“I’ll get a ladder and put it up to the fire escape. That’s easier than trying to open the inside door. Wait a minute, I’ll soon have you down.”