it would have been _then_!"

Miss Deemas hit the table with her hand, in a masculine manner, so
forcibly, that the plates and glasses rattled, then she resumed, for she
was now on a favourite theme, and was delivering a lecture to a select
audience.

"But, mark you, _I'm_ not going to be put down by men. I mean to fight
'em with their own weapons. I mean to--"

She paused suddenly at this point, and, descending from her platform,
advised Miss Tippet to dismiss the boy at once.

Poor Miss Tippet prepared to do so. She was completely under the power
of Miss Deemas, whom, strange to say, she loved dearly. She really
believed that they agreed with each other on most points, although it
was quite evident that they were utterly opposed to each other in
everything. Wherein the bond lay no philosopher could discover.
Possibly it lay in the fact that they were absolute extremes, and, in
verification of the proverb, had met.

Be this as it may, a note was quickly written to her brother, Thomas
Tippet, Esquire, which was delivered to Willie, with orders to take it
the following evening to London Bridge, in the neighbourhood of which
Mr Tippet dwelt and carried on his business.

CHAPTER EIGHT.

A HIDDEN FIRE.

In the afternoon of the following day Willie set off to the City in
quest of Mr Thomas Tippet. Having to pass the King Street fire
station, he resolved to look in on his brother.

The folding-doors of the engine-house were wide open, and the engine
itself, clean and business-like, with its brass-work polished bright,
stood ready for instant action. Two of the firemen were conversing at
the open door, while several others could be seen lounging about inside.
In one of the former Willie recognised the strong man who had collared
him on a well-remembered occasion.

"Please, sir," said Willie, going up to him, "is Frank Willders inside?"

"Why, youngster," said Dale, laying his hand on Willie's head, "ain't
you the boy that pulled our bell for a lark the other night?"

"Yes, sir, I am; but you let me off, you know, so I hope you won't bear
me ill-will _now_."

"That depends on how you behave in future," said Dale with a laugh; "but
what d'you want with Frank Willders?"

"I want to see him. He's my brother."

"Oh, indeed! You'll find him inside."

Willie entered the place with feelings of interest, for his respect for
firemen had increased greatly since he had witnessed their recent doings
at the