mpossible for the penitent firebug to say anything more. The
tears he had been holding back since he first appeared in court now came
out in full force, and, seated on the curbstone, he gave full sway to
the sense of loneliness and shame in his heart.

Mrs. Hanson's lodgers soothed him as best they could, and not until he
was ready for business once more, with a bundle of evening papers under
his arm, did Seth think of leaving him.

Dan and Bill had both equipped themselves for work, and promised to have
an eye out for Jip during the remainder of that day at least; therefore,
Seth believed himself at liberty to follow his own inclinations.

"I want to go up to the engine-house for a spell; but I'll be in the
room in time to go with you to school," he said to Dan, and the latter
replied cheerily:

"All right, we'll flash up there by dark, and you needn't be 'fraid
anybody will get the best of Jip while we're round."

Ten minutes later Seth was in Ninety-four's quarters, standing in front
of 'Lish Davis, as the latter asked sternly:

"Why didn't you stay down-town an' enjoy yourself? That's what I told
you to do."

"I can have more fun up here, an' I didn't think you'd care if I loafed
'round till it was time to go to school."

"Care? Of course we don't, Amateur; but you ought'er have some change;
there's no sense in hanging on here all the time."

"I don't see very much of you, an' perhaps----"

"You're reckoning that we may get a call, and you'll have the chance to
go out with us?"

"If there was one, I'd like----"

Mr. Davis interrupted him by saying with mock seriousness:

"I'm afraid, Amateur, we shall have to hire a back-yard somewhere, and
keep a little blaze going so's to amuse you."

Seth laughed heartily at this conceit, and then bethinking himself that
there was no reason why he should not give the men's boots an extra
polish, brought his outfit from the chamber above, although Jerry
Walters insisted strongly that he should sit still "and visit with 'em."

To do this work he had drawn on an old pair of overalls to protect his
blue trousers, taken off his coat, and was in full working costume, when
a "click" came from the Morse instrument, and the men were already on
their feet as the alarm began to sound.

"Am I in it?" Seth cried eagerly, as the horses dashed out of their
stall, and 'Lish Davis replied, while attending to his portion of the
work:

"I reckon we shall have to take you along,