"I'll come again, if there is anything of consequence to report. I'm certain you'll be all right here. You haven't worried too much, have you?" "Well, the waiting has been pretty bad," the girl confessed. "Then don't worry any more, either of you, for if there should be the slightest danger, I'll come back at once." Helen hesitated a moment. "Mr. Smith promised to come and 'save us,' if we needed saving," she said, with the merest trace of a flush. "Ah," replied her uncle, slowly. "Then I think we may safely leave your rescue to him. I will come as a reporter only. Good-by." From the time of his departure there had been no visitor from the outside world until Smith's ring came as the clock made ready to strike nine. Helen herself opened the door, as the maid had gone downstairs for further enlightenment from the authorities below; and Miss Maitland found herself confronted by a man whom at first she hardly recognized, so hollow-eyed, so weary, and withal so grimy did he look. Her little start at seeing him was noted by Smith, and he guessed the reason for it. "Don't be alarmed," he said, with a shadow of his old smile. "Under all the disguises it's really I. I know that I must look like a dissipated coal heaver, but I flatter myself that you'll be glad to see me, just the same, for I came to tell you that the danger is over--the fire is practically out." "Then you must come in and let me get you something to eat," said the girl. "Thank you very much, but I don't think I will. Somehow I don't seem to feel very hungry. But I'm horribly sleepy. I don't believe I was ever so sleepy in my life. So good-night." But she stood with her back to the door. "Where did you intend to go?" she demanded. "The hotels that are not burned are probably filled to the brim. Besides, your clothes are here. You can't go away. You must stay here." "That's awfully kind of you, to offer to take me in," the other rejoined; "but you cannot house a disreputable chimney sweep. Besides--" But she did not give him any opportunity to complete the sentence. "Don't be absurd; you're usually quite sensible. Mother and I had it all decided hours ago. You're to stay with us. Your room is all ready for you--and your bath," she added. He acknowledged the touch with an appreciative but weary smile. "Well, then, if you really don't mind, I'll take you up," he said. "Will you have supper first?" "Thanks, no--nothing but sleep. I'm ashamed of being so fearfully tired--you must excuse me. But I don't believe any man can stay awake indefinitely." "No, I don't believe any man can," Helen agreed.