of safety.

But panic had set in. The heat was terrific. People fought and struggled
to reach the exits.

The dancer turned in the man's arms and raised a deathly face, gripping
his shoulders with clinging, convulsive fingers. Two wild dark eyes
looked up to his, desperately afraid, seeking reassurance.

He answered that look briefly with stern composure.

"Be still! I shall save you if I can."

The dancer's heart was beating in mad terror against his own, but at his
words it seemed to grow a little calmer. Quiveringly the white lips
spoke.

"There is a door--close to the stage--a little door--behind a green
curtain--if we could reach it."

"Ah!" the man said.

His eyes went to the stage, from the proximity of which the audience had
fled affrighted. He espied the curtain.

Only a few people intervened between him and it, and they were
struggling to escape in the opposite direction.

"Quick!" gasped the dancer.