“It’s up to you,” he said. “How are we going to get out of here?”
Van Nesten passed a hand across his forehead and staggered to his feet. He stepped to the door and the burglar quickly followed.
“Wait!” said Van Nesten. He flashed the burglar’s lantern up and down the hall. It was thoroughly full of smoke. His quickening mind took in the whole situation.
“Come on!” he said.
He took the burglar by the hand and led him swiftly through the hall.
“Up?” asked the burglar.
Van Nesten opened a door and they passed out into the bindery among stitching-machines and great stacks of unfolded paper.
“Good thing you brought this lantern!” remarked Van Nesten, leading swiftly on. They encountered another hallway and more smoke, then a flight of stairs, which they mounted two steps at a time.
“Can you open a door?” asked Van Nesten, when a locked one barred their way. The burglar grunted and applied himself, while Van Nesten held the light. Neither spoke, but hot clouds of smoke were coming up faster and faster, and the sound of a crackling roar was beneath them. The fire was coming on with a rush.
The door opened, and they burst into Greddin’s paper-box factory, full of combustibles.