" went on
the "grouch" in gloomy tones. "You can count me out of it," he added.
"I'm not going to freeze for anybody."

"No one asked you to," replied the manager. "Come now, everyone get
ready for the fire scene. We'll go over it once more, to be sure
we're all right for the final. The roof will be cut and then we'll
touch off the place.

"Sandy, see to it that there are plenty of pails of water for the
bucket brigade. Mr. Bunn, you're to be one of that crowd, you
remember."

"Yes," responded the actor, with a heavy sigh. "I suppose I must
lower my art to the level of the movies. Oh, why did I ever get into
this wretched business?"

Ruth, Alice and the others went out to the old barn. All was in
readiness for the big scene. The ladder for the rescue of the moving
picture girls was in readiness, and Paul and Mr. Sneed made sure that
it was safe.

"Now then, carpenter, up on the roof with you, and cut out that
section so there won't be any doubt but what it will come loose
readily when Paul chops at it with his axe," ordered the manager.

The carpenter began his work. He ascended to the roof by the ladder,
and was soon cutting and sawing away. The others watched him, half
idly, little prepared for the dramatic scene that was to follow. Mr.
and Mrs. Apgar had come out to witness the making of the fire film.

"I'll sort of hate to see the old barn go, useless as it is," said
the farmer. "It was one of the first buildin's on the farm, and Uncle
Isaac used to be terrible fond of stayin' out here. In fact before
he died he spent a lot of time out here after th' accident, sittin'
all by himself, and sometimes talking a lot of nonsense. His mind was
goin' then, I reckon, only none of us knowed it. Yes, poor Uncle
Isaac was terrible fond of this old barn, and I sure will hate to see
it go up in smoke."

"I wish Uncle Isaac had been fonder of business, an' had left some
word where his money went--and ours, too," observed Sandy. "I don't
want to blame him for what he couldn't help, but it sure is hard for
us!"

The carpenter was chopping away, taking off a section of the roof, to
afford easy egress for Ruth and Alice when the time should come.
Suddenly he uttered a cry of surprise.

"What's the matter--cut yourself?" called Sandy.

"No, but I've cut into something queer. Better come up here and see
what it is--I don't want to touch it."

"I hope it isn't a hornet's nest!" exclaimed Sandy.

"No, it isn't that."