“I’m going to try,” said Larry determinedly. “I must get away from here, now that I have the chance.” He crawled out on the ledge and looked down. Through the half-darkness he could make out the ground below and a feeling of dizziness caused him to reel. “I mustn’t do that again,” he said to himself, for he remembered the ill effects of looking down from great heights. “I must keep my eyes in front of me.” Carefully and cautiously he stood erect on the narrow ledge. He found that the window casings gave a fairly good hold for his fingers as he edged his way along. Then he began to travel over the dangerous path. He went a few inches at a time, feeling to make sure that each forward step was firm before trusting his whole weight on his foot. Nearer and nearer he came to the fire escape platform. Now but five feet separated him, and a few seconds later he was able to leap down on it. He felt that he had now fully regained his liberty, and with a feeling of thankfulness he began the descent of the iron ladders. Past the second and third floor windows he made his way and was on the last ladder when a voice from below cried: “Stay where you are! If you come down any further I’ll shoot!” Caught! The men, Larry thought, had returned just as he was about to jump to the ground and run away. Three minutes more and he would have been safely off. “I’ve caught you!” the voice went on. “You will go around trying to rob places, will you! Didn’t think anyone would see you, I s’pose, but I happened along, though I can’t see what you could steal in that old factory.” By these words Larry knew he had been stopped by someone other than the two men. He looked down and saw a short stout figure, in the fast growing darkness, standing at the foot of the ladder. “I’m not a burglar!” ventured Larry mildly. “Bless my soul, it’s a boy!” the voice went on. “Well, well, what is the world coming to when mere lads go out burglarizing!” “I’m not a burglar,” said Larry with some spirit. “Don’t tell stories, boy!” the man below said. “I’m not.” “But can’t I see that you are a burglar?” “I’m escaping from this building,” Larry went on. “Of course, I can see that easy enough,” the man said. “That’s what all burglars want to do--escape. But I’ve caught you!” “Well, I’m coming down,” Larry continued. “If you think I’m a burglar you can take me to a police station.” Indeed Larry would have asked nothing better just then than to be taken before some friendly bluecoats. “All right,” the man continued. “But mind, don’t try any tricks on me! I’m strong, and I’ll tackle you if you start to fight.” “I won’t fight,” spoke Larry mildly. Then he continued on down the ladder and finally reached the ground. He confronted the man, who thought he had effected an important capture. That individual was a mild appearing, short, stout old gentleman with white hair and whiskers. He looked at Larry as well as he could in the darkness.