Part 13 (2/2)

”Very well,” replied the young captain, quietly, as he returned to Toht he saw a flicker of fla He started forward to investigate

”Keep back, I tell you!” cried the man, and he thrust Bert to one side so violently that the young fireman hit the ith considerable force

”There's no need for you to do that!” Bert exclainant ”I only want to help put out the fire!”

”You can't come in this hall!” declared the man, and then, before Bert could answer, he turned and ran along it at full speed

”Well, he certainly acts queer,” thought the boy, but, as a second look convinced him that there was no blaze in that part of the house, he returned to his chuaining

”See if they can't give us a bit more water!” cried Charlie

Bert leaned out of a , and whistled a signal that had been agreed upon, whenever ged a bit, increased their strokes, and more water was available A few seconds later Vincent, who had turned his supervision of the bucket corps over to John Boll, came into the smoke-filled hall

”Can I help you, Bert?” he asked

”Oh, yes!” exclaied housekeeper, as she stood some distance back, out of the ss in that rooet them out?” and she pointed to the door of an apartment just back of where the two lads, with the hose nozzles, stood

”Sure ill!” replied Vincent ”Co horses”

The fla back, in spite of the efforts of the young fireade, which last was not much They had run up ladders on the outside of the house, near where the fla water on in that way

”Why, the door's locked!” exclaimed Vincent, as he tried the knob

”Where's the key?”

”Locked!” repeated Mrs Blarcus will be burned, and Mr Stockton was very fond of them They cost a lot of money”

”We can break the door in!” cried Bert ”Come on, Vincent!”

The boys prepared to rush at the portal

”Stop!” cried a ringing voice, and they looked up to see Mucho into that room!”

CHAPTER XI

SUSPICIONS AROUSED

For aat Muchry, and also intensely excited

”We're going to save the pictures,” said Vincent

”There are no pictures in there!” declared the man