We had defeated them. We had the
precious letter. But they had again slipped away.
Firemen were now arriving. A hose had been run up, and a solid
stream of water was now hissing on the fire. Smoke and steam were
everywhere as the men hacked and cut their way at the very heart
of the hungry red monster.
"We are only in the way here, Tom," remarked Garrick, retreating
finally. "Our friends must have entered and escaped by the roof.
There is no other way."
He had dashed up ahead of the firemen. I followed. Sure enough,
the door out on the roof had been broken into. A rope tied around
a chimney showed how they had pulled themselves up and later let
themselves down to the roof of the next apartment some fifteen
feet lower. We could see an open door leading to the roof there,
which must also have been broken open. That had evidently been the
secret method of which the Chief had spoken to the Boss, whoever
they might be, who bore these epithets.
Pursuit was useless, now. All was excitement.
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