tly persuasive lungs. All the surrounding courts and streets
were roused in a few minutes, and poured into the lanes and alleys which
led to Cherub Court.

That extremely vigilant body, the London Fire Brigade, had their nearest
engines out in two minutes. Many of the more distant men were roused by
telegraph. Though in bed, partially clad and asleep, at one moment, the
next moment they were leaping into boots and pantaloons which stood
agape for them. Brass-helmeted, and like comets with a stream of fire
behind them, they were flying to the rescue five minutes after the yell
and shriek of "Fi-i-ire!" and "Smo-o-o-oke!"

Owing to the great elevation of the garden, and its being surrounded by
stacks of chimneys, it was some minutes before the sleepers there were
aroused. Then, like giants refreshed, David and Sam leapt from their
bunks, and, like Jack-in-the-box, Tommy Splint shot from his kennel.
There was no occasion to dress. In the circumstances the three had
turned in, as Sam expressed it, "all standing."

They rushed at the door of the garret, but it was bolted on the inside.
Susy, who had been awake, had heard the alarm and drawn the bolt so as
to give time for hastily throwing on a few garments. The men thundered
violently and tried to force the door, but the door was strong, and an
instinctive feeling of delicacy restrained them for a few seconds from
bursting it open.

"Susy! Susy!" roared the father; "open! Quick! Fire!"

"One moment, father. I'm dressing granny, and--"

A loud shriek terminated the sentence, for the flames, gathering headway
with wild rapidity, had burst-up some part of the liquor den at the
basement and went roaring up the staircase, sending dense clouds of
smoke in advance.

This was enough. Laidlaw threw his heavy bulk against the door, burst
lock and hinge, and sent it flat on the garret floor. Blinding smoke
met and almost choked him as he fell, and Sam, tumbling over him, caught
up the first person his hands touched and bore her out. It was old
Liz--half dressed, and wrapped in a blanket! Susy, also half dressed,
and with a shawl wrapped round her shoulders, was carried out by
Laidlaw. Both were unhurt, though half stifled by smoke, and greatly
alarmed.

"Ye ken the hoose, Tammy; hoo shall we gang?"

"There's _no_ way to escape!" cried the poor boy, with a distracted
look.

One glance at the staircase convinced Laidlaw that escape in that
direction was impos