As the girls started to scurry down the street Dick caught Laura's nearer arm to aid her. Dave did as much for Belle.
These four young people were among the first hundred and fifty to gather on the sidewalk before a store and office building that was on fire.
It was a five story building. Fire had started in back on the second floor. Originating in offices empty at the time, the blaze had gained good headway ere it was discovered. It had eaten up to the third and fourth floors, and was now sweeping frontward. On the third floor the heat had cracked the window glass, and the air, rushing in, had fanned up a brisk blaze. Flames were beginning to shoot out their fiery tongues through these third story windows.
"Is everyone out of that building?" demanded the policeman on the beat, rushing up. He had just learned that a citizen had gone to ring in the fire alarm, so now the policeman's next thought was directed toward life saving.
There was a quick count of those who had been in the offices on the upper floors.
On the fourth floor one suite of offices had been occupied as a china painting school. Miss Trent, the teacher, who had reached the sidewalk safely, now looked about her anxiously.
"I had only one pupil up there, Miss Grace Dodge," replied Miss Trent, hurriedly. "I called to her and then ran. Miss Dodge started after me, then rushed back to get her purse, palette and color case."
"Has anyone seen Miss Dodge?" demanded the policeman.
No one had.
"Then I'll get up there, if I can," muttered the officer.