e glance at the scene gave Chick the entire situation.

He drew back, took a short run, and with a magnificent bound cleared the
open well, and leaped squarely through the closet and into the lighted
passage.

Then the crash of a heavy door, suddenly closed, and the shooting of
bolts, told him that Cervera had prevented pursuit for a time at least,
and Chick swung round to the open well, to see if Nick needed him.

"Hello, Nick!" he shouted. "The woman--"

"Let her go!" roared Nick, still fiercely fighting the flames that
threatened the woodwork of the well. "Let her go--we'll get her later!
First save the house!"

"How can I reach you?"

"Through a door under the one in her chamber," shouted Nick. "Try that."

Chick cleared the well with another leap, then dashed downstairs and
into the parlor, which was lighted by the glare from both hall and
library.

He quickly discovered the door--only to find it locked and the key
removed.

Chick was promptly equal to so slight an emergency, however. Grasping a
heavy stool near the piano, he swung it above his head, and with half a
dozen rapid blows demolished most of the door, and forced it open.

A cloud of smoke floated into the room, but a glance showed Chick that
Nick now had the flames extinguished.

"Are you all right, old man?" he demanded.

"Only a little in need of fresh air," gasped Nick. "You cannot reach
down to me."

"Wait a bit, then. This will do the business!"

Chick had turned and snatched off the thick cloth covering of the piano,
which he quickly twisted and lowered over the doorsill, and then braced
himself to sustain Nick's weight.

"All right?" cried Nick.

"Yes. Come on!"

Nick drew himself up until he could grasp the sill of the door, then
easily reached the floor and the clearer atmosphere of the parlor.

"Well, here's a pretty mess!" he growled, in tones of self-condemnation.
"If ever I was done by a crafty jade, I've been done by one this night."

"How in thunder did it happen, Nick?" demanded Chick, with no little
amazement.

Nick very quickly told him, and explained the occasion of his own lack
of distrust and caution.

"It being a rented house, I did not look for any such trap as this,"
said he. "Furthermore, I did not believe that Cervera had any warning of
my coming, and I felt satisfied that she was alone here. Have you seen
anything of Venner while waiting in the cab?"

"Not a sign of him."

"It's odds, then, that h