FIRE!
The three girls dashed to the front door of the Harrison house but were met and driven back by a cloud of smoke.
"The dining room's full of it!" cried Nan. "Probably the stairs are afire!"
"We'll have to reach the room from the outside," declared Jo.
Ever the leader in moments when level head and quick action were needed, Jo Morley looked about her.
Painters had been at work on the outside of the house. These had finished their day's work, but had left behind them some paint cans, an empty bucket or two, and a long ladder.
The three girls saw it at the same instant, but Jo was the first to reach it.
Together they raised the heavy ladder and with much straining effort brought it around to the rear of the house.
The cries of the invalid could still be heard, but they were becoming terrifyingly faint and weak.
"Oh, hurry, hurry!" almost sobbed Nan. "If we don't reach her soon it will be too late——"