instant Dan was abashed; but quickly recovered himself as he
remembered what Seth had said regarding the possibility of aiding Jip by
his evidence.

"Where were you when he set fire to the shed in Baxter's lumber-yard?"

"Now, see here, mister, Jip never 'd done that----"

"Where were you?" the attorney repeated, speaking so sharply that for
the moment Dan was startled.

"Why, in the shed, of course, we----"

"Had you heard the prisoner threaten to set fire to the shed?"

"He didn't mean a word of it; did you, Jip? He was----"

"Unless you answer the questions which are asked, and in a proper
manner, we shall find some means of punishing you," the judge said
sternly, and Jip's attorney whispered a few words in the ear of the
witness, which had the effect of checking him for the time being.

He was questioned regarding what he had heard Jip say as to burning the
shed; how many times such threat had been repeated in his presence, and
what the prisoner had told concerning the crime after it had been
committed.

It was the last question which set loose the floodgates of his speech,
and, regardless of the judge's warnings or the attorney's nervous
gestures, he said, speaking rapidly in order that all might be told
before they should check him:

"Jip, he was awful sorry 'cause he'd done it, an' said he'd square
things if we'd let him. He wouldn't even put up his hands when I was
goin' to thump him, an' if Sam Barney hadn't wanted to show hisself off
for a detective there wouldn't been any fuss like this. What does he
know 'bout bein' a detective? Why, I wouldn't----"

By this time the court officials managed to stop the flow of words; but
not before he had shaken his fist in the direction of Sam, and caused
even the judge to smile.

"You may step down," the clerk said, after order had been restored, and
Dan asked innocently:

"Ain't you goin' to give me a chance to----"

"Step down!" was the stern command and Master Roberts was forced to
obey, much to his displeasure.

"I'll bet I'd fix things if they'd give me a chance," he whispered to
Seth as he took his seat; "but that lawyer 'Lish Davis hired don't
'mount to a row of pins."

Then the amateur fireman's name was called, and he proved a more
satisfactory witness to all concerned than had Master Roberts.

He replied briefly to the questions, and when the examination was ended
the judge asked how Jip had behaved after the crime was committed.

Then it w