"Hurrah! they've got hold of him! He's saved!" roared Frank, as the
tremendous pull suddenly ceased.

They had about reached the end of the rope, so that this happy event
came just in the nick of time. Frank hurriedly fastened that end to the
bed-post.

"Climb out, Jerry, and slide down. Not a word now, or we may lose our
chance!"

Jerry had been about to object, wishing his chum to go first. He realized
the truth of what Frank said, however, and how foolish it would be to
stand back on a matter so small. Accordingly he clambered over the
window-sill and vanished from view.

Frank got in position to follow, and only waited until he had reason to
believe his chum had reached safety. The rope had done bravely, but it
certainly could never stand the strain of two of them at the same time.

And even as he waited there was a flash of fire below, as the flames ate
through the sheathing of the house. A tremendous yell went up.

"Come down, Frank--oh! quick!" he caught above the clamor, and he knew
that it was Will's shrill voice he heard.

The fire was perilously close to the rope. In a second it might catch
and be severed. Frank did not hesitate. He was accustomed to meeting
emergencies promptly, and doing the right thing.

Down he slipped, passing the threatening flame, in fact shooting through