One glance behind him explained the sounds.
The rubbish which filled the cellar had burst out into a sheet of flame.
"It's all up with us, Rube, curses on your folly!" he whispered fiercely, as, grasping by the collar the man who had crouched cowering by his side, he dragged him toward the cellar stairs.
"Fire! Fire! Oh! missus! I've dropped the pan! and the hull business is a-burnin' up!"
Out from among the burning rubbish sprang a frightened boy.
It was Jerry Buck, with every hair standing up in horror, his jacket all ablaze.
"Take her through the window, boys!" cried Frank, springing toward the fleeing men. "Save her and save yourselves while I deal with these villains fate has thrown into my hands!"
He sprang toward Callister and seized him by the collar of his coat.
Too late!
With a sudden twist the stock-broker jerked himself free, and leaving the coat in the hands of Frank, had followed Reuben Tisdale up the cellar stairs.