What he had now to do he understood perfectly. This roof was
divided from those on either hand by a stack of chimneys; to get
round the end of these stacks was impossible, or at all events
too dangerous a feat unless it were the last resource, but by
climbing to the apex of the slates he would be able to reach the
chimney-pots, to drag himself up to them, and somehow to tumble
over on to the safer side. To this undertaking he forthwith
addressed himself. Without difficulty he reached the ridge;
standing on it he found that only by stretching his arm to the
utmost could he grip the top of a chimney-pot. Had he the
strength necessary to raise himself by such a hold? And suppose
the pot broke?
His life was still in danger; the increasing volumes of smoke
warned him that in a few minutes the uppermost storey might be in
flames. He took off his overcoat to allow himself more freedom of
action; the manuscript, now an encumbrance, must precede him over
the chimney-stack, and there was only one way of effecting that.
With care he stowed the papers into the pockets of the coat; then
he rolled the garment together, tied it up in its own sleeves,
took a deliberate aim--and the bundle was for the present in
safety.
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