Frank snatched up his coat and cap.

“I’m going with you, fellows, as far as the corner, anyway, and see if it is a real fire, or a fake,” he remarked.

Accordingly the quartette rushed out of the door and down the street.  There was snow on the ground, and the air was pretty keen.

“It’s a fire all right; look, you can see the light, and the smoke!” said Will.

“Say, fellows, isn’t that the square, and doesn’t it look like it might be the Sherman House?” asked Frank.

“As sure as you live,” replied Bluff.  “That would be a tough thing, for the people there to climb out near midnight, and the mercury hovering half way down to zero!”

“Hurry!  Perhaps we can help some!” exclaimed good-hearted Jerry, and they increased their pace.

It was the hotel, beyond all doubt.  As the boys came into the open square they saw a scene of confusion that thrilled them.  Smoke was pouring out of the lower windows of the big frame building, and in some places it was accompanied by red tongues of flame, licking up the dry wood.

“She’s a goner!” announced Jerry grimly.

They saw people come hastily out of the doorway, some scantily clad, and with blankets around their shoulders.  Luckily there were only a few guests in the hotel, since the best trade came in summer.

Loud shouts told that the local fire company was coming with their hand-engine.  Probably the Chemical Company would also be on hand, although it was too late for anything to be done but try and save adjoining buildings, none of which, fortunately enough, were very close to the doomed hotel.

Frank and his chums thought that possibly they might help out at pumping, or doing something of the sort.  At a fire in a country town every one assists to carry out furniture, or work the machine, while the regular members of the organization enjoy the exclusive privilege of carrying the hose and smashing in windows.

Amid the greatest excitement the water was finally started.  By this time one end of the building was all on fire, and every person knew it would be a complete wreck before the flames ceased feeding.

It chanced that the boys were standing near some of those who had issued forth from the hotel.  Among them was the proprietor, plainly excited as he saw his property going up in smoke and flames, and still getting some consolation from the fact that he had a good insurance on it all.

Just then a man came limping and seized hold of the hotel proprietor.

“Have you seen my brother, the professor?” he demanded, in a trembling voice.

“Oh! that you, Mr. Smythe?  Your brother—­no, I don’t remember seeing him.  But I guess everybody got out all right.  He must be around somewhere,” replied the other.

“I’ve asked a dozen people, and nobody has seen him.  I tell you, man, he’s asleep up in that room yet, and will be burned to death!” exclaimed the gentleman, whom Jerry knew quite well.  He was very lame and walked with difficulty.