"We beg parding," went on the rascal, stepping back and bowing. "We had no intentions of being personal--meant no young gentleman in partikilar. We _always_ make a point of asking a few questions in general. Here comes mademoiselle, the celebrated tight-rope dancer," etc., etc., and the thousand eyes which had been glued to my scarlet face were diverted to a new attraction. "I'll thrash that scoundrel within an inch of his life," I said to young Knickerbocker, who was sitting behind me beside his sister. "You will have to whip the whole circus, then; these fellows all stand by each other. Your policy is to let the matter drop." "I'll whip the whole circus, then," I retorted, savagely. "Please don't," said a soft voice, and I wilted under it. "It maddens me to be always made ridiculous before _you_," I whispered. "I'm a dreadfully unfortunate man, Miss Knick----" "_Fire_!" A frightful cry in such a place as that! Something flashed up brightly--I saw flames about something in the ring--the crowd arose from the benches--women screamed--men yelled. "Sit still, Flora!" I heard young Knickerbocker say, sternly. I thought of a million things in the thousandth part of a second--of the flaming canvas, the deadly crush, the wild beasts, terrified and breaking from their cages. It was folly, it was madness, to linger a moment in hopes of the fire being subdued. I looked toward the entrance--it was not far from us; a few people were going quickly out. I was stronger than her brother; I could fight my way through any crowd with that slight form held in one arm. "_Fire_!" I dallied with fate no longer. Grasping Flora by her slender waist, I dragged her from her seat, and hurried her along through the thickening throng. When she could no longer keep her feet. I supported her entirely, elbowing, pushing, struggling with the maddest of them. I reached the narrow exit--I fought my way through like a tiger. Bleeding, exhausted, my hat gone, my coat torn from my back, I at last emerged under the calm moonlight with my darling held to my panting heart. Bearing her apart from the jostling crowd, I looked backward, expecting to see the devouring flames stream high from the combustible roof. As yet they had not broken through. I set my treasure gently down on her little feet. Her bonnet was gone, her wealth of golden hair hung disheveled about her pale face. "Are we safe?" she murmured. "Yes, thank Heaven, your precious life is saved!" "Oh! where is my brother?" "Here!" said a cold voice behind us, and young Knickerbocker coolly took his sister on his own arm. "What in the name of folly did you drag her off in that style for? A pretty-looking girl you are, Flora, I must say!" "But the fire!" I gasped.