peed, until it seemed as if
by that one pull on the lever of the signal-box he had aroused the
entire city.

Now Seth and Dan would be saved if they were yet alive.

At that moment there was no hope in Jip's mind that they could still be
living.

It was as if he had lighted that match an hour ago, so slowly had the
seconds passed, and with the thought of them as dead--burned to death
through his act--came wildest terror.

He fancied every fireman on Ninety-four had recognized him as they rode
past in such mad haste, and knew him to be the one who had committed the
crime.

There was no place in his mind for any thought save that of his own
danger, and instantly he started at full speed down the street, never
daring to so much as glance behind him, although no man pursued.

When the "joker," which is the name given by firemen to the
combination-bell, in Ninety-four's house rang out the number of the call
sent in by Jip, and as the horses, released by the mechanical trip moved
by the joker, dashed out of their stalls, 'Lish Davis believed he knew
beyond a question to what particular building they were summoned.

Instantly that which Seth had told him came into his mind, and with it
the painful thought that perhaps by his own neglect he had contributed
to what might be a fatal disaster.

"And I never so much as warned the policeman on this beat!" he said to
himself as he leaped to his seat on the engine, snapped into place the
belt that would hold him there, and with a quick jerk on the reins
released the harness-catch.

Ninety-Four had seldom left the house more quickly, and certainly the
horses were never urged to a higher rate of speed than now, when 'Lish
Davis charged himself with criminal neglect.

During the minute and a half which intervened before they reached the
station from which the alarm had been sent, the driver of Ninety-four
conceived an absolute affection for the boy who had so persistently
followed up his idea of becoming a fireman, and, prompted by the
prickings of his own conscience, perhaps, he muttered to himself:

"The kid shall go into the Department if I can put him there, providing
it so be we find----"

He did not finish the sentence, for at that instant it was to 'Lish
Davis as if he must in a certain degree take upon himself the results of
this night's work.

When they dashed past the station he needed not Jip's reply to tell him
whence came the glow of light which could now be