From the direction of the staircase Ford heard a curious creaking
sound as of many light footsteps. He gave a cry of relief.

"The police!" he shouted jubilantly. "They've entered through the
roof, and they're going to attack in the rear. You're SAFE!" he
cried.

He sprang away from the door and, with two swinging blows, smashed
the broad panel. And then, with a cry, he staggered backward. Full
in his face, through the break he had made, swept a hot wave of
burning cinders. Through the broken panel he saw the hall choked
with smoke, the steps of the staircase and the stair-rails wrapped
in flame.

"The house is on fire!" he cried. "They've taken to the roof and
set fire to the stairs behind them!" With the full strength of his
arms and shoulders he struck and smashed the iron bar against the
door. But the bolts held, and through each fresh opening he made in
the panels the burning cinders, drawn by the draft from the
windows, swept into the room. From the street a mighty yell of
consternation told them the fire had been discovered. Miss Dale ran
to the window, and the yell turned to a great cry of warning. The
air was rent with frantic voices. "Jump!" cried some. "Go back!"
entreated others. The fire chief ran into the street directly below
her and shouted at her through his hands. "Wait for the life- net!"
he commanded. "Wait for the ladders!"

"Ladders!" panted Ford. "Before they can get their engines through
that mob----"