The Argosy, Christmas 1912 — page 218: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

204 unimpressive form outlined against the red light. He did not hesitate a second, but, hurling himself across the roof, vault- ed the coping, and was lost to view in the murk of smoke and fire above No. 86. Though he was invisible, the watchers could plainly hear the blows of his ax as he chopped away at the burning roof. “A lunatic, eh?”’ snapped the de- partment head, clapping his hand down on the shoulder of the battalion chief. ‘“ Well, even so, we can’t let him commit suicide. What are you about there, man? Get those two lines on 88 and the three on 84, playing across so as to make a water-curtain. Then send a couple of fellows in to grab him and drag him back. “For Heaven’s sake, don't be all day about it, though,’ he carped. “First thing we know that reof will go down on us, and then it will be good-by to any hope of saving the fellow.” Then, nervously chewing the stump of cigar between his teeth, he watched impatiently while the maneuver he had counseled was effected. It seemed to him as though he had never seen men slower at obeying an order; but at last the streams were playing, and a water-curtain formed before which the greedy flames hung back. “Quick now!” he urged. “Get your men in there while they have a chance! ” The two picked as rescuers plunged into the narrow oasis of safety formed by the thin walls of water in the midst of that raging Hades. Some one megaphoned down from the adjoining roof that they had de- scended into the hole chopped by the crazy man. Then fora space followed a period of tense waiting. Cra-ack! An ominous sound broke upon the ears of the officers in the street, the significance of which was only too well known to both of them. The roof was about to give way. THE ARGOSY. The battalion chief’s face went white, and he cursed softly under his breath. “Two of the best men in my com- mand!” he railed bitterly. “ And sac- rificed for the sake of a dope like that!” ‘“No, no! They are not sacrificed! ” cried his superior, for he had caught the meaning of an excited movement among the men on the surrounding roofs. “They are not sacrificed! He paused, his heart leaping into his throat as a louder, more menacing crack sounded, followed by a thunder- ous roar. Into the seething furnace below went the entire roof of No. 86, carrying with it a great section of the front wall, and up from the havoc soared a pillar of sparks and flame visible for miles. For a moment the intense glare blinded the eyes of those looking on; then, as the first fierce light died down under the onslaught of a flood of water, the crowd on the opposite side- walk raised a tumultuous cheer. Through the drifting clouds of smoke the firemen on the roof of No. 84 could be seen’ carrying back from the heat and supporting to the scuttle the figures of the exhausted comrades. The battalion chief and his compan- ion hurried anxiously forward to the stoop to meet the little party. Could it be possible that all had been saved— the crazy man and his two rescuers as well? They had not long to wait for the assurance. Out of the doorway emerged first, drenched and singed— but with his eye-glasses gleaming. tri- umphantly—E.. Bolingbroke Ramsdell ; second, the two ‘‘ smoke-eaters ”’ who had gone so heroically to his assist- ance; and then — the incredulous off- cials were hardly able to believe their own eyes—the figure of a young woman. The battalion chief staggered under the force of a tremendous thump on the back. CoOMmicbook CO