All of a sudden it seemed plain to every man present that the hatred for Tom and Harry in certain quarters fully accounted for the fire.
"Get a rope! Lynch somebody!" shouted one voice after another.
"First of all, let's find a way to get that woman and her babies out!" Carter appealed, frantically.
Scores of voices took up this cry, and numbers of men hastened around to the rear of the little hotel in the wake of the laddermen.
"We must find Reade and Hazelton, too," shouted others.
"Then we'll lynch someone for this night's business!" The cry was taken up hoarsely.
Two ladders were quickly hoisted at the rear.

Almost before they had begun to hoist, the laddermen and spectators felt that it was a useless attempt.
Nor did the doors and passages seem to offer any better avenue of escape.
Chug, chug, chug! sounded a touring car close at hand.

An automobile stopped, Dr.Furniss jumping out.
"Anyone in danger!" shouted the young doctor.
"Yes; a woman and her children.

Also Reade and Hazelton!" "It's all right, then," nodded Furniss, looking relieved.

"Tom Reade and Harry Hazelton have gone to the aid of the woman." "If I could only believe that!" gasped Proprietor Carter.