Part 3 (1/2)

He kicked one of the empty pails toward the men. A flash of lightning blazed over the structure, and the thunder rumbled as the rain came down harder than ever.

”This rain'll put it out soon enough!” shouted one of the men helpers.

The boys had gone back into the barn, leaving the girls outside.

”I can get some sand in that!” cried Belle, as she saw a pan in front of the dog's kennel--it was used to contain his dinner. The girl began scooping up in it some of the damp gravel from the drive.

”Don't! Don't!” cried her sister. ”Drop it. You mustn't hold metal in a thunder storm.”

”Oh, I'm going in!” exclaimed Eline. ”I can't bear to be in the open when it lightens.”

She darted toward the garage. Instinctively the others followed. There seemed to be less smoke coming out now, and no blaze could be seen.

”I guess they can stop it,” murmured Cora. ”Oh, I do hope they can!”

”Let's go in and help!” cried Bess. ”They may need us!”

Bravely the motor girls entered the garage. A s.h.i.+ft in the wind had blown the smoke away from the door. They could see the boys and men fighting the flames that were in a far corner of the main room.

Belle suddenly ran forward and dashed on the blaze the pan of sand that she had not relinquished.

”Bravo!” cried Jack. ”You're a heroess!”

He held his hand to his smarting eyes.

”Let me take that extinguisher!” begged Belle, plucking a half-emptied one from him.

”Here's one for me!” exclaimed Bess, picking it up off the floor. It had not been opened. She knocked off the top and, doing as the others did, she sent the powder in a sweeping motion toward the flames. Some of the men ran out for more sand. The blaze was being well fought now. There was really no need for the fire department.

Above the place where the autos were stored were rooms formerly occupied by the coachman and his family, before Mrs. Kimball disposed of her horses. The stairs to these rooms were boxed in, a door leading directly to the path that went to the driveway.

”I can go up there and get another extinguisher!” cried Cora, indicating the stairway. ”I know there's one there.”

”No need to!” exclaimed Ed, who again had to get a breath of fresh air.

But Cora was already in the enclosed stairway.

The next moment she shrieked:

”Oh, what is it? Oh dear! Who is it? Come quick--someone!” Everyone was startled--even the danger of the now almost extinguished fire spreading again could not detract from the import of danger they recognized in Cora's voice.

Some one seemed to answer her from the stairway.

”Don't! Please don't! I did not do it! Let me go! Please do!”

”What is it, Cora?” called Jack, preparing to go to her.

His sister had found a woman in the hallway--a strange woman who seemed much excited. Her pleading tones as she confronted Cora touched the girl's heart.

”Don't let them know I am here--not yet!” begged the stranger. ”I can explain--everything. Oh, so much depends on this! Please do as I say!”