that fat lady, and get back the children's silver cup."

"I will," replied Mr. Bobbsey. "I will have to write to them anyhow,
about the dog, and at the same time I'll ask about the cup. Though I
don't believe the fat lady meant to keep it."

"Oh, no," said Mrs. Bobbsey. "Probably she just held it, in the
excitement over the wreck, and she may have left it in the car. But
please write about it."

"I will," promised Mr. Bobbsey, as he started for the office, while the
twins gathered about the new dog, who seemed ready to do more tricks.

CHAPTER VI

DANNY RUGG IS MEAN

THAT afternoon a small fire broke out in Mr. Bobbsey's lumber yard.
The alarm bell rang, and Mrs. Bobbsey, hearing it, and knowing by the
number that the blaze must be near her husband's place of business,
came hurrying down stairs.

"Oh, I must go and see how dangerous it is," she said to Dinah. "It is
too bad to have it happen just after Mr. Bobbsey comes back from his
summer vacation."

"'Deed it am!" cried the fat, colored cook. "But maybe it am only a
little fire, Mrs. Bobbsey."

"I'm sure I hope so," was the answer.

As Mrs. Bobbsey was hurrying down the front walk Flossie and Freddie
saw her.

"Where are you going, mamma?" they called.

"Down to papa's office," she answered. "There's a fire near his place,
and--"

"Oh, a fire! Then I'm going!" cried Freddie. "Fire! Fire! Ding, dong!
Turn on the water!" and he raced about quite excitedly.

"Oh, I don't know," said Mrs. Bobbsey, in doubt. "Where are Nan and
Bert?" she asked.

"They went down to the lake," said Flossie. "Oh, mamma, do take us to
the fire with you. We'll bring Snap along."

"Sure," said Freddie. "Hi, Snap!" he called.

The trick dog came rushing from the stable, barking and wagging his
tail.

"Well, I suppose I might as well take you," said Mrs. Bobbsey. "But
you must stay near me. We'll leave Snap home, though."

"Oh, no!" cried Freddie.

"He might get lost," said Mrs. Bobbsey.

That was enough for Freddie. He did not want the new pet to get lost,
so he did not make a fuss when Sam came hurrying up to lock Snap in the
stable. Poor Snap howled, for he wanted very much to go with the
children.

The fire was, as I have said, a small one, in part of the planing mill.
But the engines puffed away, and spurted water, and this pleased
Freddie. Flossie stayed close to her mother, and Mrs. Bobbsey, once
she found out that the main lumber yard