He
directed the chemical stream directly on them, and in a few seconds
the last vestige of the blaze was out. But Bert did not descend.
He was peering into the dark corridor. Would he get a sight of the
prisoner held there? He tried to pierce the darkness. Surely that was
a movement, surely that was someone hurrying to the window.
Bert looked down. He caught one glimpse of Muchmore, in the light from
a lantern Tom Donnell was carrying, rushing at the ladder, as if to
upset it, and precipitate the boy on it to the ground, thirty feet
below.
But in the same glance Bert saw his chums holding back the enraged
man. There was another movement in the corridor. Then a gleam of light
showed, and, to his surprise, Bert saw an old man, carrying a lamp,
coming toward him. The man's hands were bleeding, his clothes were
disheveled, and his hair and beard were matted, as if they had known
neither comb nor brush for a long time.
"Save me! Save me!" cried the man. "Is the fire out? I started it to
call help! I thought the firemen would come. Oh, save me!"
"You're all right," replied Bert. "There is no danger. The fire is all
out."
"Yes, the fire is out.
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