"Hurrah! we understand, old fellow! We'll have you out of that yet!"
whooped Bobolink, starting on the run around the end of the mansion.

"A ladder--bring it around, boys! Let's save the brave youngster!" howled
the tall foreman.

The ladder happened to be up against the building at a point where the
flames had now burst forth, driving the fire-fighters back. Himself, the
foreman led in a bold forward rush to capture the required ladder; nor
was he to be denied, scorning the efforts of the licking tongues of fire
to daunt him.

Then, with a swarm of followers, he pushed around the corner. Here,
to be sure, there did seem to be less of smoke and blaze, owing to the
direction of the night wind.

Now they were placing the ladder. It reached up to a window, and if only
Jack would show himself all might be well. Seconds were like an eternity
to those who crowded below, every face upturned, and every eye ranging
along the side of the house.

The fire was pushing in this direction too, for it suddenly burst out
of a broken window. From many pairs of lips there burst a groan. Well
did they know that every second counted against the boy, who was
doubtless groping his way along halls and through rooms filled with
that overpowering smoke.

"There he is!"

It was like a sudden electric shock, that cry. The clarion notes of a