a brief but terrible period of suspense followed. Then through the
gap in the roof appeared the head of the young woman who was playing
the romantic part of the Jewess, Rebecca. Through all this tragic
happening she, must have managed to retain her self-possession in
a way that was simply wonderful, for she was now able to do her part
toward working up through the hole in the roof, assisted by the two
scouts above.

When those below discovered how success had thus far rewarded the
efforts of Hugh and his equally quick-witted fellow scouts, the cheer
that broke forth could have been heard miles away, so great was their
admiration for the work of the three boys.

However, there was still more to be done if they would escape from
the trap arranged between the rival elements, the wind and the fire.
To return over the same route by which they had come was now impossible,
since the fire had cut off escape by that course.

This was a possibility foreseen by Hugh when he concluded to take
that long and serviceable rope aloft with him. By this means the
girl could first be lowered to the ground at a point where the flames
had not yet reached; and afterwards it would be little trouble for,
himself and chums to also slide down to safety. Hugh always paid
much attention to details.

Accordingly this was what they hastily set about doing. They were
fortunate in having to deal with a plucky little woman. She understood
just what was expected of her, and indeed, to see the way she assisted
them secure the rope about her body under the arms, and then bade them
swing her free, from the parapet of the tower, one might suspect that
she had long since practiced for just this sort of thrilling picture.

All went well, and one by one the three scouts came sliding down the
rope later on, none of them so much as having an eyelash singed, though
the flames roared as if angry at having lost a victim.

"And," Billy was heard to remark when the boys could break away from
the excited players, all of whom wanted to squeeze their hands, and
say what they thought of the clever work, "Don't forget every
minute of the time that camera man was turning his crank like fury.
He got it all down pat, too, boys, as maybe we'll see for ourselves
one of these fine days."

CHAPTER XIV

OAKVALE GETS A THRILL

"What's the news, Alec?" demanded Billy Worth, some weeks after the
events narrated in the foregoing chapters took place.

They