He pushed aside Ready's detaining hand and ran quickly across the street.

They saw him reach the first smoke-filled doorway, and then he was swallowed up in the smoke.

The other members of Merriwell's flock stood still, with shaking limbs and anxiously beating hearts.
"They will both be killed!" gasped Rattleton.
"Sure!" groaned Dismal.
"I don't believe we shall ever see Hodge again!" Ready declared, and his cheeks grew even whiter.
Bruce moved as if he, too, thought of rushing into the flames.

Diamond's hand was laid on his shoulder.
"Wait a minute.

No use risking any more lives! Bart can do that, if any one can!" Browning felt that this was true, and fell back with a groan, while a bit of suspicious moisture shone in his eyes.