"Have you the key of the door?"
"Yes."
"Give it to me."
He handed it to her.
"I am going down. Do you think you can go halfway,and then swing yourself down behind the ladder, so that they will not see you?"
Tommy nodded.
"There's a big cupboard in the shadow of the landing. Stand behind it. Take the end of this string in your hand. When I've let the others out— pull! "
Before he had time to ask her anything more, she had flitted lightly down the ladder and was in themidst of the group with a loud cry: