The crackling of flames was heard.
“Fire!” cried the police captain.
The word was echoed by the others. The inference was easy.
The criminals had sought to conceal the evidences of their crime by means of the flames.
The fire alarm was given and into the street now there dashed the fire companies.
Lines of hose were quickly run into the building and preparations made to subdue the fire.
Not one of the inmates of the place had thus far put in an appearance. Indeed, it seemed deserted.
But while the police had been hesitating about entering the smoke-filled dwelling, two men had joined them.
“Hello! What is wrong here?” said one of them, a tall, strong-framed man, dressed in a tightly-buttoned blue coat, old-fashioned stock collar and wide-brimmed slouch hat.
“Ah, Old King Brady!” cried the police captain. “Here is a case for you. It looks like murder and attempt to conceal it by means of arson.”