“There is a peephole into the next room. It was clever of you to guess. But they will not think of that⁠—they are only anxious to get in.”

“Yes⁠—but look here⁠—”

“Leave it to me.” She bent down. To his amazement, Tommy saw that she was fastening the end of a long piece of string to the handle of a big cracked jug. She arranged it carefully, then turned to Tommy.

“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 the midst of the group with a loud cry:

“ Mon Dieu! Mon Dieu! Qu’est-ce qu’il y a? ”

The German turned on her with an oath.

“Get out of this. Go to your room!”

Very cautiously Tommy swung himself down the back of the ladder. So long as they did not turn round⁠ ⁠… all was well. He crouched behind the cupboard. They were still between him and the stairs.