t in two minutes."

"You will what--! Why--!"

"Yes, yes, we can do it; I've sent for our fire department--here come
the Scouts now!"

The shriek of sirens was heard above the din about the factory building
and the great crowd beheld seven motorcycles tearing down the hill at top
speed. And just behind them bowled "Old Nanc" at her best.

"Have I your permission to take a hand?" demanded Bruce.

"Yes! yes! for goodness' sake do anything you can to free him!" cried the
chief.

The line of motorcycles stopped and hose lines were quickly strung. But
the red automobile rumbled on, to come to a halt within ten yards of the
building. Already two scouts were unlimbering the oxyhydrogen tanks and
blow pipe equipment. Bruce rushed forward to aid them, while Chief
Blaney looked on quite puzzled for the moment.

Working fast, but with the utmost coolness, Bruce donned a pair of
asbestos gloves that came with the equipment and attached the blow pipe.
Romper turned on the gases, while the young leader produced a match and
ignited the torch. Instantly a tiny blue flame shot out that hissed and
sputtered in a threatening manner.

As he advanced toward the window Bruce saw that the old bookkeeper had
disappeared. He knew from this that there was no time to be lost, for
the man had probably fainted and would soon be overcome with smoke.
Hastily he shot the blue flame at the base of the first bar. There was a
hiss and a shower of sparks as the flame met the cold metal. Bruce
pressed the blow pipe closer, while he watched with anxious eye the
progress of the flame.

The bar grew red, then gold, then white. The heat was terrific. The bar
began to melt, slowly first, then faster, until the blue flame ate
completely through. Another was attacked, and still another, until the
scout had cut a hole in the iron grating large enough for a man to pass
through.

Shouting to Romper to turn off the gas, he dropped the blow pipe, and
plunging a handkerchief in a fire pail that stood near by, he tied the
cloth over his nose and mouth. Then he hoisted himself through the
window and disappeared.

Inside the smoke was thick and black, but Bruce could see flames dart
through at the far end of the room, and he knew that in a few moments
more the place would be seething.

He groped vainly about for the old bookkeeper. Where was he? He had
dropped under the window a moment ago. Had he tried to crawl to the
door? What had happe