Jill the Reckless

ncy is to walk, not run,to the nearest exit, fire in the theatre has lost a good deal of itsold-time terror. Yet it would be paltering with the truth to say thatthe audience which had assembled to witness the opening performanceof the new play

man at the switchboard toturn up the house-

on. The clatterof feet almost drowned the shouting. A moment before it would haveseemed incredible that anything co

inthe air, but for the moment they hung on the razor-edge between pan

while that it was "all right" and that they mustnot be frightened. But another curl of smoke had crept out justbefore the asbestos curtain completed its descent, and their wordslacked the ring of conviction. The

Looking from above, one could have seen a sort ofshudder run through the crowd. It

and, the hand of aman who had not lost his head. A

't going on."Jill was shaken: but she had the fighting spirit and hated to showthat she w

to me. We can stroll outquite comfortably by our own private route. Come along."Jill looked over her shoulder. Derek and Lady Underhill were mergedinto the mass of refugees. She could not see them. For an in

, and the smell of burning wasform

ched past them, bellowing. Fromsomewhere out of sight on the other side of the stage there came asound of chopping. Jill's companion moved quickly to the switchboard,groped, found a handle, and turned it. In the narrow space betweenthe corner of the proscenium and the edge of the asbestos curtainlights flashed up: and simultaneously there came

and turn to the right, and you'll be at thestage-door. I think, as there seems no on

each other."He squeezed through the n

mpt to follow the directions he hadgiven her. She was aware of a sense of comradeship, of being withthis man in this

ver, and hurt her eyes, so that thefigures of the theatre-firemen, hurrying to and fro, seemed likeBro

d, but fortunately I can give you solid proof. If therewere any danger, _I_ wouldn't be here. All that has happened is thatthe warmth of your re

!"Jill looked

see the place is afire?""But--but I'm waiting for . . ." Jill pointed to where her

inted out round the

earing out. There's nothing we can do. It's gottoo much of an 'old. In about another two t

He blinked approvingly

us, what's on your mind?" Thesimple ques

ell me. Let me guess. I've got it! The place is on fire!"The stage-hand exp

opping it,

damn quick!""And, as you suggest, damn quick! You think of everything

flames were shooting, and something large and hard, unseenthrough the s

enquired her companion of thesta

ther briefly, and coughed ra

s a scene where Sir Chester had to creep sombrelyout into the night, and now he's gone and done it! Ah!"They had stumbled through a doorway and were out in a

there was a fire! Charredbones, believed to be those of a man and a woman, were found in theruined edifice!"He turned to Jill. "Here's the stage-door. Shall we creep sombrelyout into the night?"The guardian of

is about a fire

friend

hing about a fire?""They all come bustin' past 'e

r, you'll get it in thesmall of the back. Take the advice of an old friend who means youwell and vanish. In the in

might call an _impasse_. French! Well, Casabianca, I'mafraid I don't see how to help you. It's a matter for your ownconscience. I don't want to lure you from the burning deck: on theother hand, if you stick on here, you'll most certainly be fried onboth sid

y've cooled off sufficiently, youcan c

cold and crisp. Jill dr

and shouting. Fire-engines hadarriv

op and see the confl

e was more shaken t

troll along the Embankment. Do you know, Sir PortwoodChester didn't like the title of my play. He said 'Tried by Fire' wastoo melodramatic. Well, he can't say now it wasn't appropriate."

treat for the populace.""Do you think they will be able to put it out?""Not a chance. It's got too much

eventh-hour rush, raced back to Jill. The Embankment turned to asunlit garden, and the January night to a July day. She stared athim. He was looking at her with a whimsical smile. It was a smilewhi

else,--John something.""That was a cunning disguise. Wally Mason is the only genuine andofficial name. And, by Jove!