Another moment and he had seized one arm
with a strong grip; the next he had pulled the child to him on the
roof.
"Safe! thank God!" he murmured, almost breathless with his exertions
and still more with his agitation.
Safe! As if to mock him a great tongue of flame shot from the window
from which rescuer and rescued had but now emerged, and a cry of
despair rose from Matthew below.
"Run for the library!" Blackett shouted, a thought suddenly striking
him. "Run, run!" And the boy pointed to a sort of wing, an addition to
the mansion recently made by the Squire, and devoted to his books and
the extensive and valuable collection of antiquities and curiosities
of which he was very proud. This building was connected with the body
of the house by only one small arched door, on the ground-floor.
George understood, and cautiously but rapidly edging his way along the
broad leaden gutter behind the parapet, he drew the girl, by this time
conscious once more, but dazed with fright, to the outlying portion of
the roof, which was as yet untouched by the flames. He peered over for
Matthew, but could see nothing of him.
For the moment the two were in no danger. But the flames were already
licking the portion of the library immediately adjoining the house
proper; soon the whole wing must be ablaze.
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