Tom Reade threw open the door to be greeted by a cloud of stifling smoke.
“Hustle, Harry!” he gasped, making a rush to get into his clothing. “We can get out, I think, but we haven't any time to spare. This old trap is ablaze. It won't last many minutes!”
Trained in the alarms and the hurries of camp life, the young engineers all but sprang into their clothes.
“Come on, Harry!” urged Tom, throwing open the door. “We can make it.”
They started, when, from the floor above, a woman's frantic appeals for help reached them. Children's cries were added to hers.
“Get to the street, Harry!” shouted Tom. “I'm going upstairs. There'd be no satisfaction for me in reaching the street if I abandoned that woman and her babies to their fate. One of us can do the job as well as two!”
CHAPTER XVI. DANES SHIVERS ON A HOT NIGHT
Almost immediately after the cries of “fire” the bell at the fire station pealed out.
Paloma's volunteer fire department turned out quickly, running to the scene with a hand engine, two hose reels and a ladder truck.