if he owns up to the whole thing like a little
man, it may be possible to have sentence suspended during good
behavior."

"What do you mean by that, Mr. Davis?" Seth asked in perplexity.

"Why, it's jest like this. When he's put on trial let him tell the
truth. We of Ninety-four can testify that it was he who sent in the
alarm, showing he was sorry as soon as the deed had been done. Then
will come the time for the lawyer to get in his fine work. He'll do a
lot of chinning 'bout the boy's being young, and that it'll most likely
make a criminal of him to be sent up. In some such way as that the judge
may be brought to believe that it'll be the wisest course to suspend
sentence--that is to say, hold the conviction over him, but at the same
time letting him go free. If he behaves himself, well and good; if not,
he's brought before the court and sentenced on this same charge at some
future time."

"Are you certain that can be done?" Seth asked, growing more hopeful.

"No, Amateur, we ain't certain; but the chances are it can be fixed that
way, and we'll do our best at it, if for no other reason than to show
how good we're feeling because you're doing us so much credit up at
headquarters."

Seth had hoped that the members of Ninety-four's company would be able
to effect the firebug's release, and it was a great disappointment to
thus learn that nothing could be done save through the clemency of the
judge; but, as he would have kept silent had it been himself who was in
danger, he refrained from giving words to his sorrow.

Understanding what was in his mind, 'Lish Davis added in a kindly tone:

"Don't take it to heart, Amateur, for we'll do all that is possible, and
I'm allowing it'll all come out straight in the end. It wouldn't be well
if he pulled through too easy."

"If only he don't have to go to jail for two or three years!" Seth
cried, and then fearing he might say that which would sound like a
complaint, he took his leave after promising to report next evening.

"Well, I begun to think you was goin' to stop there all night," Master
Roberts cried irritably when his partner appeared. "Seemed like you was
havin' a mighty good time along at the first of it."

"That was when I was tellin' how I'd been gettin' on up at headquarters.
Say, Jip will have to be tried in court!"

"What? Can't Ninety-four's men stop it?" Dan cried in surprise, for he
had believed the firemen could do whatsoever they would, and Seth
r