e cottages, or else
have one built that will do well enough for picture purposes, and set it
ablaze. Then, when C. C. comes running out, carrying Miss Shay--or maybe
Miss Lee, for she's lighter--we'll----"

"Hold on there!" called the comedian. "Did I understand you to say I had
to rush out of a burning building?"

"That's it, C. C."

"But to rush out I've got to go in; haven't I?"

"Why, naturally, C. C."

"Then I serve notice here and now that I resign. I'm tired of being an
actor. I'm going into the coal business," and he stopped making odd
faces in the glass, practicing some facial contortions for a new clown
act, and began to dress as though to go out.

"Hold on, C. C.; what's the matter?" asked Mr. Ringold.

"Plenty! If you think I'm going to run the risk of being burned to death
you've got another guess coming. I'm through."

"Why, C. C.," spoke the theatrical manager, with a laugh; "there's no
danger."

"Not in going into a burning building, even if it is only a fisherman's
shanty! No danger!"

"No. Listen. You go in before the building is afire. The blaze is
started from the outside by your enemy, and with some red fire, which
makes a lot of smoke, we can show on the screen some pictures that will
look like a real fire. Then out you rush, before the flames have had a
chance to spread, and after you and the lady are safe, the fire gains
great headway, and the cottage burns to the ground. But the pictures are
being taken all the while, and it will show up great! There's not a bit
of danger."

"Not that way," said Miss Lee. "I'm willing to do my part, Mr. Ringold."

"Well, I suppose I'll have to also," spoke C. C., with a sigh. "But I
know something will happen. Some sparks will fall on me and scorch me,
anyhow, I'm sure."

"Oh, Gloomy!" reproachfully exclaimed Miss Shay. "Do look on the bright
side for once."

"There isn't any," asserted the comedian, as he resumed his practice of
making strange faces.

Mr. Ringold succeeded in purchasing, for a moderate sum, one of the
older cottages, and it was put in shape for its share in the moving
picture story, some changes being necessary. The fisherman and his
family moved out, glad of the chance to better themselves.

"We won't say anything about planning to fire the shack," declared Mr.
Ringold to the boys and the members of his company. "If we do it will
attract a crowd, and that's just what we don't want. The fewer the
better. Now we'll go over