As quickly as he could George Strong mounted to the very top of
the ladder. Then the teacher raised the beanpole, heavy end
upward, until Leeks managed to grasp it.

"Can you steady it against the gutter?" asked the teacher.

"I -- I don't know. If I had a cord -"

"There is a string on the window blind. Tie the end of the pole
to that."

With trembling hands Leeks did as directed. The cord was not a
stout one, but it was sufficiently strong to keep the beanpole in
position, and that was all that was required, since the teacher
steadied it and held it up from below.

But getting over the edge of the gutter was no easy movement, and
those on the ground held their breath as Leeks crawled to where
he could grasp the beanpole. Then the cadet came down on the run
to where his feet struck the top of the ladder. In a minute more
he and the head teacher came to the ground.

A cheer went up. "Hurrah! Leeks is safe! Good for Mr. Strong!"
In the midst of the cries Leeks fainted and had to be carried to
the gymnasium for treatment.

The fire had evidently started in the lower hallway of the
building, in a closet under the broad stairs. It was burning
furiously in all of the halls and toward the rear.