by Fred Thorpe
CHAPTER XXIII.
AN EVENTFUL NIGHT.
The Rockton police force were evidently not equal to the emergency--twoor three Hibernians in blue uniform were rushing wildly about, issuingorders to which no one paid the slightest attention.
Meanwhile nearly a thousand people were confined within the burningbuilding, most of them apparently doomed to a horrible death.
At the doors--of which there were only two--men were fighting likemaniacs to escape, and actually retarding their own progress in theirmad excitement.
What could one boy hope to do against this panic-stricken throng?
This is the question that Al Allston asked himself.
"I'm afraid I shan't accomplish much," he said to himself; "but I'mgoing to try, anyhow."
Assuming as cool an air as he could, he ran up to the entrance.
"Gentlemen," he said, "there is no danger. Take it easy; walk out justas you would at any other time, and everything will be all right. Keepcool."
Probably not more than half a dozen persons heard the words, but the fewwho did hear them were impressed by the calm, fearless demeanor of theboy, which was in such striking contrast to that of everyone else in thecrowd.
An example of this sort is contagious; word was passed from one man toanother that the danger was not as great as had been supposed. Theconduct of the throng changed almost immediately.
"Walk out quietly," went on Al, who was now able to make himself heard."Those on the right-hand side go in the direction of Grand Street, andthose on the left in the direction of Market Street. Don't block thesidewalk. Keep cool, and everyone will get out all right. There isnothing to get excited about."
These words had almost a magical effect. In reality, there was quiteenough in the situation to excite anyone, but Al's apparent calmness andhis assertion that the danger did not amount to anything produced justthe result he desired.
The crowd became more rational, and to make a long story short, withinthree minutes the building was emptied, even of the women and childrenwho had fainted or been injured.
Five minutes later the roof of the building fell in, but there was everyreason to believe that not a single human life had been sacrificed.
Al started for his hotel as quietly as if nothing unusual had happened.But he had gone only a few steps when he was overtaken by Mr. Wattles.
To his astonishment, the manager folded him in his arms, exclaiming:
"By Jove! I wish you were my son!"
"What's the matter now?" asked the boy, disengaging himself.
"Matter? Why, the matter is that you have in all probability saved thelives of several hundred people."
"Nonsense!"
"That's just what you have done, all the same. You have a cool head forsuch a young fellow--I can tell you that. If it hadn't been for you--Ishudder to think of what might have happened. You are, as I have hadoccasion to remark before, a wonder."
"Nonsense, Mr. Wattles! But I must go now; mother is sure to be worryingabout me."
"But there are a score of people waiting to be introduced to you, and Ihave promised to bring you back with me."
"I can't go, Mr. Wattles."
"But----"
"Tell them that I---- Oh, just tell them the plain truth."
"That you have a morbid horror of being lionized?"
"If you want to put it in that way; and that my mother is waiting forme."
"Well, well, I won't urge you--particularly as I know that you generallymean what you say and stick to it. But, let me tell you, young man, youwill have to stand considerable lionizing before you leave this town,whether you like it or not."
"I don't think so," smiled Al. "There is an early train in the morning,if I am not mistaken."
"But you won't take it."
"You will see. Well, good-night, Mr. Wattles. Oh, wait a moment!"
"What is it?"
"You are sure my sister got out all right?"
"Oh, yes; everyone on the stage escaped within two minutes after thefirst alarm. Don't you know I told you that I saw her go out? You willfind her with your mother when you get back to the hotel."
Al said good-night once more, and walked away.
"Well," muttered the manager, as he stood and watched the lad's slimfigure until it was lost to view, "that boy is a corker. I don't believehe is afraid of anything on earth--except speech-making. I should liketo see him really agitated for once."
Mr. Wattles had his wish in less than fifteen minutes.
He had just lighted the gas in his hotel room when there was a quickknock upon the door.
Before he could say "Come in!" Al rushed into the room.
One glance at his face showed the manager that something unusual musthave happened. Never before had he seen the boy so intensely excited; hewas panting for breath, and his face was ghastly pale.
"What is the matter?" the old gentleman gasped.
"Gladys--my sister----" the boy began.
"Has anything happened to her?"
"We cannot find her."
"She has not returned to the hotel?"
"No."
"Oh, there can be no occasion for alarm. I told you she got out of thetheater all right."
"But she may have returned."
"What should she return for? But she did not; that I am sure of."
"Where is she, then?"
"Oh, don't worry, my boy; she will turn up all right. Perhaps she hasgone to visit friends."
"Would she be likely to visit friends under such circumstances?" saidthe boy, almost angrily. "She has no acquaintances in this place--shetold me so only this afternoon; and if she had, this is not the time shewould choose for making a social call."
"No, of course not, my boy. Well, what do you think has become of her?"
"I believe that she has been the victim of foul play. Have you forgottenFarley's letter?"
Mr. Wattles started.
"It may be so."
"I am sure it is."
"But I have seen nothing of Farley."
"He would not be likely to let you see anything of him if he could helpit."
"True. Well, what shall we do? Command me, my boy; I am at yourservice."
Before Al could reply the door, which the boy had only partially closed,was opened, and a man entered.
Both our hero and the manager recognized him as one of the stage handsin the Rockton Theater.
When he saw Al he started, then he said:
"Mr. Wattles, I came here on purpose to get this here young gentleman'saddress."
"My address?" cried Al. "What do you want that for?"
"Is it true, sir," the man asked, "that the young lady as was on thebills as Miss Gladys March is your sister?"
"Yes."
"Then, sir, I have some information for you."
"Do you know where she is?" demanded the boy, breathlessly.
"No, sir; but I know that she is in a trap, and that if you want to saveher you must act quick. I've come here, sir, to make a clean breast ofmy part in the affair."
Overcome by excitement, Al seized the fellow by the throat and forcedhim to his knees.
"Speak!" he hissed. "Tell the truth, or I will strangle you!"
