At least she was not kept long in suspense. The men were quick and efficient, and their cargo was not a very large one. In a very few minutes, the elevator was loaded and, with a smooth whir not at all like the Academy elevators, it ascended to the theater. It returned not long after, emptied of its crates, and the workmen shut off the mechanism, swung the doors closed, and clicked the lock on them.
The watchman with the rifle nodded his approval, climbed back into the rear of the truck and once more allowed himself to be locked in. Without a word, the truckmen took their places in the cab, soundlessly shut the doors, and the battered truck swung smoothly into the courtyard, backed up, and turned down the alley.
It seemed like the first time in ten minutes that Peggy had breathed.
"I was frightened to death that the boys would come!" she said.
"That's all I could think of, too," Amy whispered in a shaky voice.
"Now all I want is for them to come fast!" Peggy said. "We've got all the evidence we need for the police, I think, and I just want to get out of here!"
"If we do get this theater for our play," Amy said, "I wonder if I'll feel good about it. I'm afraid I'll never feel quite right about this place after tonight!"
"Oh, we'll make it all over," Peggy said with enthusiasm. "We'll put bright lights in the little marquee, and we'll put up lighted theater posters on the walls, and I think we could paint the wall behind the loading platform white with gilt trim on the pillars on each side of the elevator. Then, if we can find a fountain for the court, the way I suggested before, and maybe a few stone benches, we--Oh!" She gave a start of fright as a male voice laughed close to her ear.
"Just like a woman!" Randy said. "Supposed to be keeping a lookout, and you're decorating an alley! But where are Pip and Tom? And what are you doing here? And--"
"We'll tell you everything over coffee," Peggy said. "Oh, Randy! It's all over! We've got our crooks--and they're crooks all right--and we've got our theater, I'm sure--and I'm so glad you didn't come ten minutes earlier, and.... Oh, let's get out of here!"
"Let's," Mal said. "This is hardly my idea of a place for a date! Amy, take my arm. I have a feeling you need it. And Randy, get a firm grip on Peggy, if you please."