“So one of the men says. I told him to keep out of there, but he went in by the front door a few minutes ago this fellow says, and he just came back to tell me.”
“That’s a fact. Went running in, and I yelled at him, because there’s no telling what’s in there yet.”
Frank turned and started for the front door.
“Here, here!” the chief grabbed for Frank. “Hold on! I’ll go in there and find him! Stay out of there!”
But he had spoken too slowly, and even his words would not have stopped the boy. Lanky went leaping behind his chum, but the chief grabbed Wallace and threw him to one side, telling him to stay out, while he, the chief, went dashing through the door behind Frank.
A heavy pall of smoke hung over the entire first floor, and as the door opened and closed behind him, Frank Allen felt a heavy rush of heat and wondered how his father could have gone through it.
“Dad! Dad!” he cried, but then decided to keep his mouth closed, for he had sucked in a mouthful of the choking smoke, and his lungs seemed to be bursting.
Holding his breath, he rushed along the broad aisle toward the rear. Flames were licking around the elevator shaft, just breaking through. Around the stairway opening the floor was gone! It had caved in, and flames were now starting to leap through to the first floor.
How should he get below? His father was probably down there. Probably had been directly over this spot when the cave-in happened, caused by the flames having eaten away the floor supports in the basement.
A groan came from the right of them. Like a flash Frank leaped in that direction. He recalled the narrow stairs which led to the vault in the basement from the rear office, while the broader stairway was used for customers.