to say good-night to Mr. Fernald; but doubtful as to how
such familiarity might be received, he departed in silence, turning
around as soon as he was in the corridor where none could see him, to
wave his hand in adieu.

Supper had been eaten, and he was on the sidewalk outside of
headquarters just as the whistles were blowing for the hour of six.

"I'll have a chance to stop a good while in Ninety-four's house
to-night, an' there may another alarm come so's I can go out with her
again," he said to himself, and at that instant Teddy Bowser appeared
from around the corner of the building and cried excitedly:

"Dan Roberts an' Bill Dean sent me up here to tell you that Sam Barney's
had Jip Collins 'rested this afternoon 'bout three o'clock."

CHAPTER XII.

THE PRISONER.

It was several moments before Seth could bring himself to believe that
Dan and Bill Dean had utterly failed in their efforts to save Jip
Collins from the would-be detective.

During the day he had given the matter comparatively little thought,
believing that, having set out on their mission of mercy at such an
early hour, his roommates would succeed in their efforts.

Sam Barney was known to all his acquaintances as a boy opposed to rising
very early, or working very hard, and it had been no more than
reasonable to suppose Jip would be warned in time.

Teddy Bowser could give very little information, and that which he did
impart only served to heighten the mystery.

He stated that he met Sam at about seven o'clock that morning, and
talked with him concerning his visit to Philadelphia with the purpose,
as previously agreed upon, of delaying him until nearly nine o'clock.

That then the alleged detective had gone toward Fulton Market with the
avowed intention of meeting a friend, and Teddy was positive Jip had not
been arrested until late in the afternoon.

"Where was Dan an' Bill when they sent you to tell me?"

"Over by Jefferson Market; that's where Jip's been jugged."

"Were they to wait there for me?"

"That's what they reckoned on, except you thought them firemen of yourn
could help out."

"If Jip's really been 'rested I don't believe Ninety-four's men could do
anything, 'cordin' to the way Mr. Davis talks. We'll go right down to
the market."

During the long journey, for neither Seth nor Teddy could afford to pay
ten cents for car-fare, the latter told as nearly as he could remember
Sam Barney's version of his visit to "P