Alice looked then.
She saw Paul descending as the rope payed out. He was coming down gradually.
"That will make a good film," commented Russ to Mr. Pertell, for the manager had come to witness the fire escape scene.
"Indeed it will."
Paul came down several stories, and the success of the apparatus seemed assured when, at about the fourth story from the ground, something suddenly went wrong.
Once more the young actor shot downward and this time it seemed that he would be seriously injured.
Russ felt that he must rush forward to save his friend, but he had an inborn instinct to stick to his camera—an instinct that probably every moving picture operator has, even though he does violence to his own feelings.
"He'll be hurt!" several in the crowd cried.
Ruth and Alice both turned aside their heads again, but there was no need for alarm.
For the firemen, at the word of command from their captain, had rushed forward with the life net. They were standing only a few feet away from where Paul dangled in the air, but even at that they were only just in time.