Gringo tried twice. Then, his faith in his ability to escape completely
shattered, he gave up. After that he adored Keith and was always under his
feet.

Keith saw nothing of any of the women. Mrs. Sherwood seemed to have dropped
from their ken when they left the hotel. Once Keith inquired casually about
Mrs. Morrell.

"She's been over twice to see the place," replied Nan.

"We ought to go over there to call," proffered Keith vaguely; but there the
matter rested.




XIV


One night Keith was awakened by Nan's suddenly sitting up in bed. There
came to his struggling consciousness the persistent steady clangour of many
deep bells. Slowly recognition filtered into his mind--the fire bells!

He hastily pulled on some clothes and ran down the front stairs, stumbling
over Gringo, who uttered an outraged yelp. From the street he could see a
red glow in the sky. At top speed he ran down the street in the direction
of the Monumental. In the half darkness he could make out other figures
running. The deep tones of the bells continued to smite his ear, but now in
addition he heard the tinkling and clinking of innumerable smaller bells--