"Come on! We've got to--get some--help!" Grace fumbled for the knob and finally succeeded in getting the door opened.
As they had hoped, the stairway at the rear of the house was still intact, although the smoke was so dense they had to feel every inch of the way.
Oh, the nightmare of it! Long years afterward the girls would live it over again in their dreams, and wake up drenched in perspiration, quivering and shaking with terror.
When they finally reached the outer air they were smoke begrimed, wild-eyed and the tears were rolling down their faces unnoticed and unchecked.
The fire, which had started inside, and had gained a good foothold before any trace of it could be seen from the outside, had been discovered by one of the guards, who had immediately sent in an alarm. Already the shriek of the fire engine could be heard, soldiers were being hurried out from the barracks to help in the rescue work, and all was noise and confusion.
A group of women who had escaped from the house before the girls, and who stood huddled together in a terrified group, rushed forward at sight of them, and gathered about them eagerly.
But Grace was not to be detained. She pushed ruthlessly past the women, and ran to intercept a group of firemen who were rushing down upon them.
"Two girls," she gasped, catching one of them by the arm and holding on desperately. "At the head of the stairs--unconscious--get them----"
And then Grace, who had done her gallant best, tumbled down in a little heap, having fainted.
Allen, rushing up with his company, gave one quick glance at the group of women and girls before the burning house, then strode grimly over to Amy's side.
"Where's Betty?" he demanded roughly, his voice sounding strange, even to himself.
"Allen, Allen, they've gone to rescue her," cried Amy, shaking like a leaf. "She's still in the house---"
With a hoarse cry Allen turned, and ran like a madman toward the burning building. A fireman, stumbling gaspingly from the house, almost knocked him down.
"Isn't any use!" he cried. "That stair's on fire, too. We've got to reach 'em from the outside."
"Get out of the way!" cried Allen, shoving him roughly to one side.
The fireman called after him, but there was no stopping the terror that forced him on. Terror for Betty--up there alone--Betty--Betty. He clapped a hand before his eyes and stumbled blindly on.