“If we only had a rope!” wailed Polly.
“But we haven’t! If I only knew this house better I might find a back-stairway. Most city houses have them and I should think this place would have one.”
“Of course! Nolla, close this door to keep out smoke. I’ll look for the stairs.”
The few excited sentences were muttered through the mufflers tied over the girls’ mouths and noses. Then both girls began groping their way to the rear, hunting for the back-stairs.
The mass of people that had surged from the Hall had made for the wide front stairs, and but few remembered to seek for a back exit. And these had speedily found a way down. Polly and Eleanor also found the narrow back stairs, then Polly hastily commanded:
“Run and tell Anne—she can call to your Dad and explain. Then tell her to come this way, with us. I’ll lift Elizabeth over my shoulders and start down with her—Anne and you follow, at once!”
In another moment, Polly was back in the dressing-room while Eleanor was running for the rear window to advise Anne. But she found her already inside tying a veil over her mouth and nose.
“Nolla—where’s Polly?”
“All right—come on!”
“I told your father—they are safe on the roof—hurry now!”