"

Thus led, the fickle crowd started to the aid of the firemen.

"Come with me, Danes," whispered Tom hoarsely, sternly. "Keep your
distance, however, or I shall lay violent hands on you."

Once out of the glare of light cast by the burning of the hotel, Tom
Reade pointed down a dark side street.

"There's your way, Danes," whispered Reade. "Skip! Be far from Paloma by
daylight--or nothing will save you."

"Do you consider me responsible for that fire?" faltered Danes.

"Hazelton and I went through that fire," Tom retorted sternly. "We had
a hard fight to save that woman and her babies, and were nearly choked
with the fumes of the coal oil with which the fire was kindled. I
couldn't swear, in court, Danes, that you started the blaze, but your
coat and your hands have the odor of coal oil."

Dane's face turned pale, his legs shaking under him.

"So, you see," continued Tom savagely, "you'll do well to escape before
anyone else notices the smell of coal oil on you."

"You've been mighty good to me--and I--" chattered Danes.

"Shut up, as I advised you before!" rasped Tom Reade. "I've been as good
to you as I'd be to a rattlesnake. Get out of Arizona before the men of
this town suspect--understand--you?"

"I will," Frank Danes agreed, his teeth chattering.

"Don't ever show your face again in this part of the world."

"I won't, Reade. Again, my thanks--"

"Shut up!" Tom insisted. "Thanks from you would make me feel like a
traitor to the community. Skip! Carry word to the Colthwaite Company,
however, that their latest scheme against us has failed like the
others!"

At mention of the Colthwaits, Danes turned and fled in earnest.

"That was their second attempt," muttered Tom grimly, as he turned back
to where the flames still held dominion. "I wonder if I shall be as
lucky when the third attempt against me is made?"

CHAPTER XVII. TIM GRIGGS "GETS HIS"

In another hour the spot where the hotel had stood was marked only by a
shapeless mass of smoking embers.

The citizens of the town went back to their beds. Mrs. Gerry and her
children had recovered consciousness and had found a friendly lodging
for the night.

The rescue performed by Tom and Harry had been a simple enough
achievement.

Shut off from every other means of escape, they remembered the
dumbwaiter that ran from the kitchen up to the floors above.

The two little children were sent down on the dumb-waiter, Harry riding
on the to