Both captives heard the scratching of a match. Dexter held the small flame against a drapery until it was burning freely.
He had no intention of having his wife burn up in the house, for, dead, her money would be lost to him forever. He planned only to scare her into nervous collapse. But Jane, the housekeeper, did not liberate the captives in the two closets as Dexter had expected. Instead, as the housekeeper came to the head of the stairs, heard the crackling of flames and smelled the rising smoke, she fell on the landing in a faint.
"Dick! Dick!" screamed Mrs. Dexter's voice. "The house is afire. Can't you break down the door and save us both?"
"I'm trying to," shouted back young Prescott above the din of his own blows. "I'm trying to—but I'm afraid this door is too strong for me!"
CHAPTER XV
WHAT GRAMMAR SCHOOL BOYS CAN DO
Inside of a minute Dick Prescott was both gasping and despairing.
Outside the volume of smoke was increasing. Some of it worked in through the cracks around the door.