258 NEIGHBOURS UNKNOWN 



Toomey came, with one of the keepers, and 

 an elephant. Frantically they began push- 

 ing and dragging out the cages. But there 

 was a wind ; and before the first cage 

 that of the puma was more than clear of the 

 door, the flames were on top of them like a 

 leaping tiger. Panic-stricken, the elephant 

 screamed and bolted. The keeper, shouting, 

 " We can't save any more in this house. 

 Let's git the lions out ! " made off with one 

 arm over his eyes, doggedly dragging the 

 heavy cage of the puma. The keeper was 

 right. He had his work cut out for him, 

 as it was, to save the screeching puma. As 

 for Toomey, his escape was already almost 

 cut off. But he could not endure to save 

 himself without giving the imprisoned beasts 

 a chance for their lives. Dashing at the 

 three remaining cages, he tore them open ; 

 and then, with a summons to Lone Wolf 

 to follow him, he threw his arms over his 

 face and dashed through the flames. 



The three animals sprang out at once into 

 the middle of the floor ; but their position 

 seemed already hopeless. The leopard, thor- 

 oughly cowed, leaped back into his cage 

 and curled up in the furthest corner, spitting 

 insanely. Lone Wolf dashed at the door 

 by which Toomey had fled ; but a whirl of 



