At that moment Rachel saw her husband was on the first step of the ladder. He was going to save the baby! Her heart gave an exultant leap, and then almost stood still.
At Gwen's words Luke took a hurried glance at the crowd beneath and his eyes rested for one moment on his wife's face. Though it was deadly white there was something in its expression that nerved his steps. She was helping him, not for the first time by any means, to do what was his duty, and this time he knew it was at the risk of his life.
He looked down at Gwen as he mounted, with a smile, saying:
"I am thinking of Rachel. That is why I am going to save the baby."
In another moment he was forcing the window out, which gave way easily, and disappeared within the room.
The silent crowd stood spellbound, but Gwen in a panic ran to the side of her sister. Her voice alone was heard, crying:
"Why didn't you call him back, why did you let him go?"
Call him back! Rachel would not have called him back for the world. It was just the brave thing she expected him to do, and knew he would do.
She stood calm and still while the crowd surged around her murmuring.
Suddenly they saw Luke at the window. He dropped a small bundle into the arms of someone below. A cheer went up but was suddenly checked by the sound of timber falling and a lurid flame soaring up into the air. There was only one explanation to give—the floor of the room in which the baby had been sleeping had given way, and the terror-stricken crowd knew that their Rector must be lying buried among the ruins.