Part 11 (2/2)

”And that's a neer boat,” went on Bert ”It's a dandy, too We ought to have a gasolene engine to work our fire apparatus”

”No, we shouldn't!” exclai worked too fast Our engine is good enough as it is”

”Of course it is We haven't had much use of it lately, have we?”

”No; but it's all ready e get an alaruess the constable is on the job every night He's as anxious for a fire as we are, for he wants to ring the bell”

”Still, I don't believe any one really wants a blaze,” remarked Bert, and then he added: ”We can ine this week, and then we'll only oenty-six dollars”

”Oh, we'll soon have it paid for,” declared Vincent

By this ti up their boat, they soon were undressed and splashi+ng about in the water

The lads had great fun, playing all sorts of ga sun warned them that it was time to start for hoan rowing back around the point They kept a watch for theof it, nor did there appear to be any signs of life about the old mansion up on the bluff

The Stockton house was a source of soers The mansion, which, years before, had been the scene of aiety, ned by Harris Stockton, as reputed to be quite wealthy But one day he had disappeared, saying good-bye to no one, and it was generally supposed he had gone abroad, as he was rather eccentric, and given to going and coht that the house was deserted, but neighbors frequently saw an old woman about it, after Mr Stockton had disappeared, and she announced that she was the housekeeper, Sarah Blarcu man seen about the premises, and, in answer to questions fro man was Mr Stockton's nephew, Alfred Much his uncle's absence As to where Mr Stockton had gone, Mrs Blarcuiven her to understand his uncle was traveling in Europe

Muche people, and seemed to keep pretty rounds occasionally, but Mrs Blarcu

”Well, Herbert,” said his ine, have you?”

”Not yet; but ill”

”Oh, I hope you don't have to go to any dangerous fires I'et hurt”

”A fireman has to take chances, mother Father had to do it, remember”

”But you are only a volunteer”

”That's the best kind I think I'll get the boys together and have a practice run We need a little drilling But I'd just as soon an alarht I'm dead tired, and I can sleep like a top, after my swim”

”Then if I hear an alarm from the church bell I suppose you don't want uess I'll hear the bell if it rings”

But Bert did not, and it was not until his orously, several hours later, that he beca of the fire alarm

”Herbert! Herbert!” called his ! Dong!”

The bell gave out four quick strokes Then a pause

”Dong! Dong! Dong! Dong!”