"I'm obliged to leave you, Detective Carter! While I'm gone—keep whistling!"
At the same moment Chick Carter rushed into the chamber and caught a glimpse of her through the wreathing smoke, as she fled through the lighted passage.
One glance at the scene gave Chick the entire situation.
He drew back, took a short run, and with a magnificent bound cleared the open well, and leaped squarely through the closet and into the lighted passage.
Then the crash of a heavy door, suddenly closed, and the shooting of bolts, told him that Cervera had prevented pursuit for a time at least, and Chick swung round to the open well, to see if Nick needed him.
"Hello, Nick!" he shouted. "The woman—"
"Let her go!" roared Nick, still fiercely fighting the flames that threatened the woodwork of the well. "Let her go—we'll get her later! First save the house!"
"How can I reach you?"
"Through a door under the one in her chamber," shouted Nick. "Try that."
Chick cleared the well with another leap, then dashed downstairs and into the parlor, which was lighted by the glare from both hall and library.