“We’ve got to get him!” cried Jerry to Ned.
“Sure thing! He’ll be burned to death in there in less than a minute! What’s he mean about Crooked Nose?”
“Hanged if I know! But don’t stop to ask questions. Go on up. I’ll be right after you. We’ve got to get him. Stand firm, Bob!” Jerry yelled to his chum at the foot of the ladder.
“Right!” answered the stout one, making his voice heard above the various noises of the fire.
Up the ladder went Ned and Jerry, pausing a moment as they got to the point where they could look into the room. The smoke had blown away for the time being.
“There he is!” cried Ned, pointing to a figure huddled on the floor.
The two boys leaped into the room, taking big gulps of fresh air to hold in their lungs as long as possible, for they saw that the wind was blowing the smoke into the room again.
They caught hold of the old man. He appeared to be a Frenchman, though he spoke good English. The boys lifted him up, and this seemed to restore his scattered senses.
“Wait! Wait!” he murmured. “My money! I must get my money. And that jewelry! Crooked Nose got some of it, but I hid the most. He shan’t have it! I must save it. In the iron box! Get it for me! Don’t let Crooked Nose have it!”
“He’s raving!” said Ned.