Walter sprang forward again, too. The police officer caught the boy with
a strong hand and hurled him back with an emphatic word; but Inez ran
right between the officer's legs!
"Now, drat that young'un!" ejaculated the policeman, as Inez completely
escaped him and disappeared under the pall of smoke.
"Oh, Inez! Come back! You'll be smothered!" shrieked Grace.
If the child heard this cry she paid no attention. Fearless and wild, she
was too used to having her own way to obey now. And, besides, in her own
queer, half-tamed way, she loved Nan Sherwood.
Being so tiny, Inez was less affected by the smoke than those who were
taller. The blundering policeman who essayed to follow her into the
doorway, came staggering back, choking and blinded. Walter himself,
springing forward when he thought the way was clear, was met by the
rolling volume of pungent smoke, which filled his lungs and stifled him.
"Come back! Come back, Walter!" wailed his sister.
With smarting throat and tearful eyes the boy obeyed--not because he
wanted to. The heat and smoke overpowered him. The policeman was still
choking and gasping.
Then, of a sudden, Bess Harley emitted an excited cheer. "Here they are!
Hooray!" she shrieked.
Out of the doorway plunged little Inez, one arm over her eyes to defend
them from the stinging smoke; one hand pulling at Nan's jacket, to guide
her; for Nan came stumbling backward from the burning theatre, dragging
Pearl Graves with her.
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