Mrs. Stewart went first, but she was so nervous that Mr. Fabian followed closely behind her to steady her trembling form. Anne followed after her mother in climbing through the window, and Mr. Maynard followed her. The two girls were about to climb out on the platform when they heard a moan, and then a shrill cry, from the small dressing-room back of the stage.
Anne ordered the girls to come out, but Polly turned and ran back. Eleanor followed, and Anne, distracted, climbed back, too.
Nolla, tie something over your mouth and nose use your chiffon scarf, commanded Polly, winding a wide silk sash about her own head.
The girls groped along the entry but could not distinguish a thing in the thick, choking haze. Then Polly came to the dressing-room back of the stage. This was comparatively clear from smoke, and there the girls saw Elizabeth Dalken stretched upon the floor, a cut in her forehead attesting to the cause of her sharp scream.
Great Scott, Polly! What can we do now? cried Eleanor, as the idea of trying to carry the girl up the steep ladder-way flashed across her mind only to be spurned. She had no idea of leaving her there to her fate, however.
If we only had a rope! wailed Polly.
But we havent! 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. Ill 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. Ill 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 wheres Polly?
All right come on!
I told your father they are safe on the roof hurry now!
Eleanor led Anne through the smoke, and just as they reached the entry, Polly staggered out of the stage-door with the unconscious girl hanging over her shoulder.
Polly! Polly! You never can carry her! cried Anne, in a smothered voice through the veiling.
But Polly kept her mouth closed and struggled on to the back stairs. Anne began to cough and choke as a reward for trying to speak, but she reached the stairs first and rushed on down to see if there was a safe passage below. Eleanor was close upon her heels, and Polly followed more circumspectly.
They reached the kitchen of the house without trouble but the heat as they passed by the second floor was terrific. Once down on the ground floor they found the rear of the place quite free from smoke, but it might only be because the fire overhead was blazing upward. At any moment the wall or upper floors might crash down and fall upon them.
Nolla how can we get out of this pen? cried Anne.
If the house is anything like Chicagos, Ill show you. There must be an area or cellar exit to the street.
The
kitchen light was still burning but it looked weird in the smoke-laden atmosphere. Eleanor tried different doors but found that they opened into passages leading to closets or to the front rooms. Finally she opened one and caught a whiff of fresh uncontaminated air.
Thank heavens! Here it is, but I dont know where it ends.
Anne and she pushed out, with Polly behind them. They were in a dark alley, now, and had to trust to good fortune to come out somewhere, in safety. Down several stone steps, and along another dark, damp area they went, and then Eleanor stumbled against a closed door.
Oh, mercy! Are we locked in here? she yelled desperately, beating the door with her clenched fists.
Nolla let me feel for a handle you are hysterical! cried Anne, swiftly passing her hands over the rough wood.
Hurry, hurry! I cant carry this weight a minute longer! breathed Polly, hoarsely.
Just at that moment, Annes hand struck an iron bolt. In a second she had shot it backwards, and the heavy door swung open to give them an exit to the side street.
All three girls ran frantically forward and Polly dropped her heavy burden upon a grass strip which edged the curb. Eleanor sobbed with relief and Anne fell upon her knees in silent thanksgiving.
Im off, girls, to see if I can help, in front. Have a care for Elizabeth, cried Polly, and away she flew.
That silenced Eleanors hysteria quicker than anything else, and in another moment she was gone after her friend, leaving Anne to watch the still unconscious girl on the grass.
The scene in front of the building was one of spectacular interest. Seeing the crowds of fashionably-dressed people grouped opposite the flaring house, it would seem that everyone of the guests had escaped. But there was a deafening mixture of cries and shouts from every direction. Some were crying for lost friends, some wailed for help because of injuries inflicted by the stampede; firemen signaled their associates; the old proprietor of the Hall ran madly to and fro shouting and gesticulating wildly to everyone; in fact, it was a scene that shocked Polly to witness because she thought city people had great presence of mind.