Together they went to the place where the test was to take place. It was a tall office structure, and, as word of what was afoot had spread, quite a throng had gathered. Mr. Pertell had made arrangements with the authorities to have Paul work in a little theatrical business in connection with the test, and the inventor of the fire escape was also to be in the moving pictures. There was a little preliminary scene, as part of the projected play, and then Paul went into the building with the inventor to prepare for his thrilling descent. The apparatus seemed simple. It was a round, metallic case, inside of which was coiled a stout rope. At the end was a broad leather strap, intended to be fastened about the person who was to make the jump. The case, and the coil of rope, were to be fastened to a hook at the side of the window. Then Paul was to jump out, and trust to the slow uncoiling of the rope to lower him safely. "Are you all ready?" asked the inventor, after he had explained the apparatus. "As ready as I ever shall be," answered Paul a little nervously. He looked down to the ground. It seemed a long way off. CHAPTER IV A CLOUD OF SMOKE Below, in the crowd that had gathered to watch the test, were Ruth and Alice. Russ, of course, was there with his moving picture camera, and Paul saw the little lens-tube aimed in his direction, like the muzzle of some new weapon. "Now, don't get nervous," directed the inventor, after he had explained the mechanism to Paul, and also to the city officials who had gathered to pass upon its merits. "You can't make me nervous," declared the young actor. "I've gone through too much in this moving picture business, though I will admit I never jumped from such a height before." "Don't look down," the inventor warned him. "You won't get dizzy then. And don't think of the height. With this apparatus it is impossible to get hurt. You will go down like a feather." "That's comforting to know," laughed Paul. "Well, I may as well start, I guess." The belt was adjusted about him, and as it was done in the open window Russ was able to get views of it, and of all that went on. Then Paul got out on the sill. There he paused a moment. "I--I can't bear to look at him!" murmured Ruth. "Don't be silly," exclaimed Alice. "But suppose--suppose something happens?" "Don't be a Mr. Sneed!" retorted her sister, with a laugh. "I don't believe anything will happen, and if--if he should fall--see!" and she pointed to where a detachment of city firemen stood ready with their life net. "Oh, I didn't notice them before," confessed Ruth. "That makes it safer." "All ready down there, Russ?" shouted Paul, through a megaphone. "Shall I go?" "Jump! I'm all ready for you," was the answer.