We heard the inspector call us by name, but we determined to save every wounded man in the room if possible, and therefore returned him no answer.
Carefully, but quickly, we lifted one of the sufferers from the floor, and conveyed him to the nearest window, where a dozen willing hands were stretched out to receive him; but before we could remove a second, the flames burst through at the extremity of the room, near the bar, and the planks of the floor seemed to blister our feet, they were so heated by the fire raging in the cellar.
CHAPTER LVIII.
CONVALESCENCE OF MR. CRITCHET, AND OUR DISCHARGE FROM THE CRIMINAL DOCKET.
"Do you wish to perish in the building?" cried the inspector, who had made his way through one of the windows in search of us.
"By no means," returned Fred, hurriedly, "but we will not leave until every wounded man is saved."
"You are mad. The building will be a mass of cinders in ten minutes," exclaimed Mr. Brown.
"Five minutes would be sufficient to clear the room, if we only had help," retorted Fred, as cool as though certain of being saved.