"It couldn't be helped," said Ned. "We'll hope for the best."

"Yes," agreed Tom, "that's all we can do--hope for the best. By the
way," he went on, turning to Mr. Baxter, "are you any nearer fastening
the guilt on those two rascals, Field and Melling?"

"Bless my prosecuting attorney, no!" exclaimed Mr. Damon. "Those are
the slickest scoundrels I ever tackled! They're like a flea. Once you
think you have them where you want them, and they're on the other side
of the table, skipping around."

"I've about given up," said Mr. Baxter, in discouraged tones. "I guess
my dye formulae are gone forever."

"Don't say that!" exclaimed Tom. "Once I get this fire matter off my
hands, I'm going to tackle the problem myself. We'll either make those
fellows sorry they ever meddled in this matter, or we'll get up a new
combination of dyes that will put them out of business!"

"Bless my Easter eggs, I'm glad to hear you talk that way!" cried Mr.
Damon.

"Well, Rad, I'll expect to see you up and around when I get back," said
Tom to his old servant, as he stepped into the sick room to say goodbye.

"Oh, is yo' goin', Massa Tom?" asked the colored man, turning his
bandaged head in the direction of the beloved voice.

"Yes. I'm going to try out a new scheme of mine--the fire extinguisher,
you know."

"De same one whut fizzed up, an'--an' busted me in de eyes, Massa Tom?"

"Yes, Rad, I'm sorry to say, it's the same one."

"Oh, shucks now, Massa Tom! whut's use worryin'?" laughed Rad. "I suah
will be all right when yo' gits back. De doctor man--de 'pill man' dat
giant calls him--says I'll suah be better."

"Of course you will," declared Tom, but his heart sank when he saw Mrs.
Baggert remove the bandages and he caught sight of Rad's burned face
and the eyes that had to be kept closed if ever they were again to look
on the sunshine and flowers. "And when I come back, Rad, I'll stage a
little fire for your benefit, and show you how quickly I can put it
out."

"Ha! dat's whut I wants to see, Massa Tom, I suah does like to see
fires!" chuckled Eradicate. "Mah ole mule, Boomerang--does yo' 'member
him, Massa Tom?"

"Of course, Rad!"

"Well, Boomerang he liked fires, too. Liked 'em so much I jest couldn't
git him past 'em lots ob times I But run 'long, Massa Tom. Yo' ain't
got no time to waste on an ole culled man whut's seen his best days.
Yas-sir, I reckon I'se seen mah best days," and the smile died from the
honest, bla