"Follow me, two of you!" cried Jones. Two stout operatives sprang forward, and in an instant the three men were in the hallway leading to the iron door, where they encountered clouds of smoke. To the cry, "Come on, men!" the heavy tramping of three pairs of feet were heard on the floor. Through the smoke rushed the brave fellows until Jones said:
"Here's the door;" then he cried out, "Mister Alden! Mister Alden! Are you alive?"
No voice responding, he called again and again with the same result; then Jones, with one tremendous push, sent the great iron door shut with a loud clang, and turning to retreat, his foot struck something on the floor. Stooping, he touched the form of George Alden, lying insensible before him.
"Thank God, boys, it is the cashier. Quick! men, seize him."
The three then, grasping the lifeless man, turned and hastily ran toward the door. As they emerged from the burning building, shouts of joy rent the air, but when the deathlike face of George Alden was visible everybody became mute.
"Is the brave fellow dead?" were the words uttered, but they were not answered.
Carefully George Alden was laid upon a pile of blankets, when one of the village doctors sprang forward, placed his head upon the breast of the wounded man, and said:
"He lives."
Two women broke through the crowd, and Belle Hamblin and Fannie Alden were beside the almost lifeless form.
"Is he dead?" they both cried in tones of anguish.