To attempt to follow them was useless.
A wall of seething flames, bursting forth from the rubbish of years accumulated beneath the stairs, now intervened.
Meanwhile, Barney and Sandy had assisted the woman through the open window, gaining a place of safety without, while little Garibaldi was bravely but vainly endeavoring to pull the burning jacket from the back of Jerry Buck that he might be able to escape.
All attempt to follow Callister was useless.
Frank saw that at a glance.
"Let him go," he muttered. "Heaven will deal with him according to his deserts. After all, I cannot harm him, for he is the father of the girl I love."
He sprang toward Jerry, and wrapping the coat left in his hands by the fleeing stock broker about him, thus smothering the flames, drew him hastily through the cellar window, Garibaldi, the Italian, following with all possible speed.
The mysterious woman, Barney and Sandy stood upon the snow covered ground awaiting them.
With a low cry of joy the woman threw herself into Frank Mansfield's arms.
"My son—my darling boy!" she cried, wildly kissing his cheeks and stroking his hair. "Thank God I hold you in my arms once more! I have sought to prove your innocence, and though I have so far failed, come what will, we must not part again."