He quickly discovered the door—only to find it locked and the key removed.
Chick was promptly equal to so slight an emergency, however. Grasping a heavy stool near the piano, he swung it above his head, and with half a dozen rapid blows demolished most of the door, and forced it open.
A cloud of smoke floated into the room, but a glance showed Chick that Nick now had the flames extinguished.
"Are you all right, old man?" he demanded.
"Only a little in need of fresh air," gasped Nick. "You cannot reach down to me."
"Wait a bit, then. This will do the business!"
Chick had turned and snatched off the thick cloth covering of the piano, which he quickly twisted and lowered over the doorsill, and then braced himself to sustain Nick's weight.
"All right?" cried Nick.
"Yes. Come on!"
Nick drew himself up until he could grasp the sill of the door, then easily reached the floor and the clearer atmosphere of the parlor.