“Is that the fire alarm bell?” he asked Ralph, hastily.
“Yes, that’s what!” exclaimed the other.
The sound must have struck a note of alarm at many hearts in that gathering, for they could easily guess how a fire, with such a gale blowing, might imperil the whole town. Men could be seen jumping hastily from their seats, possibly some of them volunteer firemen, whose duty called them to leave their beds or the banquet hall when the call came, regardless of conditions or circumstances.
Their pushing through the crowd at the door was the signal for a rush; and in the excitement of that moment even the popular little Anna Burgoyne was temporarily forgotten in the desire to get outside the hall.
Chapter XVI
Fighting the Flames
“Hadn’t we better follow the crowd, and get out of here, Ralph?” asked Rob, when he found the sudden alarm of fire had broken up the entertainment, and that even little Anna Burgoyne had taken advantage of the diversion to slip back off the stage again.
“I suppose we might as well,” grumbled Ralph, “because she’s gone, and there won’t be any more singing tonight.”
The five boys started toward the door, where quite a jam had occurred, as many of the excited audience tried to push through at the same time. In consequence there was a blockade, and it would take a long time for those in the rear to emerge from the hall.
“Too slow for me,” ventured Andy. “Say, Ralph, couldn’t we get out by way of one of these windows?”
“Let’s look and see,” added Sim.