ous times they had spent
together. Presently Max's ear caught the sound of someone ascending the
stairs.

"Someone--a fireman, I suppose--is coming up the stairs, Dale."

"What shall we do with him? Give him his quietus? I still have my
hammer."

"No--get in the corner here and watch what he's after. It won't help us
to hurt him."

The man moved on up the stairs until he passed by the spot where Max and
Dale were in ambush. He was a fireman, and his object seemed to be to
find out at close quarters the extent and power of the fire. As the man
passed him, Max had a sudden idea.

"We must attack him after all, Dale," he whispered. "Come--help me so
that no alarm is raised. I will tell you why in a moment."

Sheltered by the fitful light and occasional gusts of rolling smoke, it
was an easy matter to creep upon the fireman unawares and to bring him
to the ground stunned and helpless. That accomplished, Max immediately
proceeded to remove the man's tunic and helmet. Dale then understood--it
was to be the ruse of the sham sentry outside the power-house over
again.

"Now put them on, Dale," cried Max rapidly. "You can then go boldly down
and out to the cordon of soldiers. They will let you through without
question."

"Not I," replied Dale sturdily. "I'm not going to leave you like that.
What will become of you, I should like to know?"

"I shall be all right. When the next fireman comes along I shall do the
same. Now, go ahead, and don't delay."

"No," replied Dale decidedly. "I'll not do it, Max. We will wait for the
next fireman together if _you_ will not don the suit."

"Dale--you will do as you are told!" cried Max, roused to sudden anger
by his friend's unexpected obstinacy. "I am Stroke of this crew--not
you."

"I know you are, but you are asking too much when you want me to leave
the boat. Besides, I should never get through. I can't muster up nearly
enough German. You put them on, old man--it's no use staying here when
you might escape."

"You shall suffer for this, Dale, upon my word you shall," cried Max
angrily, as he savagely thrust himself into the tunic, buckled on the
belt and axe, and donned the great helmet. "But if you think I am going
without you you are badly mistaken. Come downstairs, near the entrance,
and I will tell you what I propose."

The two lads descended the stairs, bearing the unconscious fireman
between them--for they could not bring themselves to leave him there to
burn--unt