Amateur Fireman

  CHAPTER XII.

  THE PRISONER.

  It was several moments before Seth could bring himself to believe thatDan and Bill Dean had utterly failed in their efforts to save JipCollins from the would-be detective.

  During the day he had given the matter comparatively little thought,believing that, having set out on their mission of mercy at such anearly hour, his roommates would succeed in their efforts.

  Sam Barney was known to all his acquaintances as a boy opposed to risingvery early, or working very hard, and it had been no more thanreasonable to suppose Jip would be warned in time.

  Teddy Bowser could give very little information, and that which he didimpart only served to heighten the mystery.

  He stated that he met Sam at about seven o'clock that morning, andtalked with him concerning his visit to Philadelphia with the purpose,as previously agreed upon, of delaying him until nearly nine o'clock.

  That then the alleged detective had gone toward Fulton Market with theavowed intention of meeting a friend, and Teddy was positive Jip had notbeen arrested until late in the afternoon.

  "Where was Dan an' Bill when they sent you to tell me?"

  "Over by Jefferson Market; that's where Jip's been jugged."

  "Were they to wait there for me?"

  "That's what they reckoned on, except you thought them firemen of yourncould help out."

  "If Jip's really been 'rested I don't believe Ninety-four's men could doanything, 'cordin' to the way Mr. Davis talks. We'll go right down tothe market."

  During the long journey, for neither Seth nor Teddy could afford to payten cents for car-fare, the latter told as nearly as he could rememberSam Barney's version of his visit to "Philadelphy."

  "He says the way he figgered it out at first, Jip Collins ought'er beenover there; but he'd found out his mistake soon enough if you fellershadn't hurried him off."

  "He didn't go for most a day after he acted 'bout crazy to get away."

  "That's one of his excuses, of course; I'm jest givin' you the fairystory he flashed up to me. He says he wasn't any sooner in the trainthan he began to work the plan over in his mind, same's all thedetectives do, an' it didn't take him a great while to figger how itwas. At the jump he thought it was mighty queer that Bill Dean should go'round raisin' money to send him away, an' after he was in the cars hetumbled to himself, don't you see? To hear him tell it you'd believe allhe had to do was to set down an' think over things to find out jest whatwas what."

  "It's a big pity he couldn't think who stole his money," Sethinterrupted. "'Cordin' to his story he's been after the thief eversince."

  "He says he would have caught him if this case of Jip's hadn't turnedup, an' seein's it was so much bigger he dropped everything else. Well,after he made up his mind that the fellers what chipped in the money wastryin' to run him out of town, the train started, so of course he had tokeep on; but he'd fixed it with himself that he was bound to comestraight back soon's he could. I reckon he swelled himself 'round thedepot over in Philadelphy, blew in the sixteen cents he had, an' givesome of the fellers a terrible stiff 'bout bein' a detective, till heborrowed money of 'em to come back. The way he tells it is that jest assoon as he got there people knew who he was, an' give him a greatreception. He makes out that there was a slat of folks hangin' round thestation tryin' to get a chance to see him; but that's all in your eye,of course."

  "Sam Barney must be a fool if he thinks anybody is goin' to believe suchyarns."

  "He must think it, else he wouldn't tell 'em. Now, 'cordin' to hisstory, some of them fellers was jest loaded with the stuff, and they putup the price of a railroad ticket back. I don't know what he did withhimself while he was in the town, 'cause you can't make out anything bywhat he says."

  "Why didn't he come back on the next train if everybody was ready tolend him money?"

  "He says he jest actually couldn't get away from the crowd that wantedto see him an' talk to him, so he stayed a spell to give 'em a good timeby showin' himself. Then when he got ready he swings on board, an' overhe comes. But he's chafin' under the collar, Seth, 'cause the fellerssent him off when he ought'er have stayed, an' that's why he's so downon Jip Collins."

  "He was jest as bad before Bill Dean ever begun to raise money to getrid of him, else it would have been different. I tried to make himpromise to let Jip alone, an' he wouldn't listen to any talk at all. Hethinks it'll be a big thing for him in case he puts it through. If Icouldn't get on in the world except it was by sendin' some feller tojail, I'd stick to sellin' papers or blackin' boots the rest of mylife."

  "Sam is pretty near green thinkin' you've got ahead so fast; but saysthat jest as soon as he has worked the case up against Jip he'll smashyour racket all to pieces."

  "Have you seen him since he did this terrible fine piece of detectivework?"

  "No; I hadn't heard anythin' 'bout it till Dan hailed me."

  For some time after this Seth remained silent trying to devise a plan bywhich he could aid the unfortunate firebug; but the more he consideredthe matter the less probable did it seem that either he or his comradescould in any way benefit the prisoner.

  "I'm 'fraid Jip will go up the river," he said at length, and Teddyreplied mournfully:

  "I guess he's a goner for a fact, an' all on account of Sam Barney'swantin' to show hisself a detective."

  When the two had come to their journey's end Dan and Bill Dean were seensolemnly pacing to and fro on the sidewalk in front of the entrance tothe court-room, looking sadly disheartened.

  "Have you done anythin' yet?" Seth asked in a low tone as he joinedthem.

  "There's nothin' we can do. Jip's locked up, an' Sam Barney's struttin''round the streets showin' hisself off for a first-class detective," Danreplied in a tone of irritation.

  "Do you know how he happened to nab him?"

  "It must have been that Denny Macey give him away," Bill Dean replied,"for I saw Jip this mornin' early, an' he 'greed to keep out er sight."

  "Do you s'pose he stayed on the street after that?"

  "Denny knew where he slept last night, and must have told Sam, jest assome of the fellers say he threatened to do."

  "Well," Seth said after a brief reflection, "if you can't help him,what's the use of standin' here?"

  "We was waitin' for you. I thought, an' so did Dan, that perhaps thedriver of Ninety-four might cook up some kind of a plan we could workthrough. Anyhow, it don't seem as though it would do much harm for youto talk with him."

  "Of course it won't; but if it wasn't that Jip's likely to be sent tojail for a good many years I wouldn't bother him, 'cause it don't seemthe square shake for me to keep runnin' there whenever things turnwrong."

  "It would be pretty tough to let Jip be sent up for four or five yearsjest 'cause you didn't want to bother Ninety-four's crew."

  "I know that, Bill, an' I'm goin' to talk to Mr. Davis now. I was onlysayin' I wouldn't do it if things wasn't the way they are. I'll goahead, an' you fellers meet me up to the room after I get through,'cause it won't do for all hands to loaf 'round in front of theengine-house."

  To this proposition those who were ready to sacrifice their own pleasureand interests in order to aid the penitent firebug made no demur, andSeth set out at full speed, leaving the others to follow at a moreleisurely pace.

  "Hello, Amateur! It seems to me you've knocked off work kind-er lateto-night?" 'Lish Davis cried as the boy entered the engine-house.

  "Mr. Fernald, the man who runs the gymnasium, told me I was to go awayevery night at six o'clock----"

  "So Josh has taken you in hand as he promised, eh?"

  "He's given me a chance up in the gymnasium, where I can't help seein' agood deal of the drillin' even when I'm workin', an' it seems as thoughit was a mighty soft snap."

  "Josh ain't a man who'll make it very soft for any boy. You've got totoe the mark pretty straight with him, Amateur; but if it so be youstrike him just right things will move along in great shape. Why didn'tyou leave headquarters as
he told you?"

  "I did, sir; but Teddy Bowser was waitin' outside to tell me that SamBarney has had Jip Collins 'rested for settin' fire to thelumber-yard."

  "So, so! He has, eh? I thought you shipped that bloomin' detective overto Philadelphia?"

  "That's what we did, Mr. Davis; but he managed to get back, an' tumbledto the trick we played on him, so the very first thing he does is to getJip pulled."

  "Well, whether it be boys or men who go wrong, sooner or later they'vegot to pay the penalty in some fashion, and perhaps it's just as wellthis Collins chap should square matters now as at any other time."

  "But it seems terrible, Mr. Davis, to have him sent to jail for nobodyknows how many years."

  "It'll be a good many if he's convicted on the charge of arson; that Ican give you as a straight tip."

  "I was in hopes you'd feel kind of bad about it, Mr. Davis," Seth said,hesitatingly.

  "Meaning to say you counted on my trying to help pull him through afterhe destroyed valuable property and come pretty nigh being the death ofyou and your partner?"

  "Well, you see, he's awful sorry----"

  "Yes, most of 'em are after the crime has been committed."

  "But I don't b'lieve Jip really meant to do anythin' like that. He'dbeen blowin' 'bout how he'd serve us out, an' a good many of the fellerstold him he didn't dare to so much as raise his hand. That kind-erstarted him, an' if he goes to jail now the shame of it will allersstick to him."

  "Then you believe he'd work 'round and be a decently square kind of aboy if he got out of this scrape?"

  "I'm almost certain of it."

  "Well, look here, Amateur, it ain't for a fireman to go here and there,trying to defend them as have started a blaze; but I wouldn't wonder ifwe could find some lawyer to take charge of his case. Perhaps we can gethim off on the same plea you're using now--that it would serve to make acriminal of him, rather than work the proper kind of reformation.There'll be plenty of time, lad, because you and your partner are boundto be called on as witnesses even on the preliminary examination, sountil the officers find you two nothing can be done, for I don't reckonyour imitation detective has any knowledge of what happened."

  "He's heard the rest of the fellers talk 'bout it."

  "That don't cut any figger; all he can testify to is what he's seenhimself, or something the prisoner may have told him. I'll turn thisthing over in my mind, and call on Jerry Walters and Ben Dunton fortheir advice. When you come 'round to-morrow night we'll be able to saywhat can be done. Now tell me everything you did to-day; that's of moreinterest to us of Ninety-four's company than the arrest of the firebug."

  Seth gave a detailed account of his movements from the time he enteredheadquarters until the hour of leaving, and every man on the floorlistened eagerly to the narration of unimportant doings, which was thebest proof they could have given of the deep interest felt in theamateur fireman.

  "I reckon you'll pull through all right," 'Lish Davis said approvinglywhen Seth brought the story to an end, "and now there's a word to besaid about your behavior here this morning. You'll have plenty of workto do 'twixt 7 A.M. and 6 P.M. without hustling over here beforedaylight and blacking our boots; consequently we're going to hireanother boy so's to remove the temptation from your path."

  "Don't do it, please don't do it, Mr. Davis," Seth cried imploringly."It don't seem like work to me. So long as I can be here every mornin'an' do somethin' of the kind, it 'pears as if I belong to the company.S'posen you get another feller to do the shinin' an' I come 'roundevenin's to tell you what's been goin' on? Why, it would only look as ifI was a visitor. I don't want to give up all my hold here, an' that'swhat will happen if somebody else does the shinin'."

  There could be no question but that Seth was deeply in earnest, and morethan one of the men nodded to the driver as if to say that the boyshould be allowed to do as he pleased.

  Jerry Walters took it upon himself to say very decidedly:

  "I think, 'Lish, Amateur is right, an' you've got no call to cut him offfrom what he wants to do, 'specially after it's been once agreed upon.It ain't that I'm figgering to have my boots shined for nothing; but I'mfeeling a good deal as he does. I'd like to have him come 'roundregularly, an' we'll be certain of it if there's work to be done."

  "Very well, very well," the driver replied. "He shall keep on for aspell, though it ain't to my liking. If Amateur was a kid that spent histime kiting 'round the streets it would be different; but he's got tohave some little amusement, and how is it to be had if he starts in atdaylight blacking boots, works until six o'clock at headquarters, thenspends his evening at the school? Why, it'll come nigh to using him up."

  "He ain't on at headquarters Sunday, is he?"

  "No; but that's only one day in seven, and so long as Amateur is in ourcharge, so to speak, I ain't going to have him get an idea that he canspend the Sabbath cavorting 'round as some of his chums do."

  "When I begin to take part in the drill at headquarters I shall have allthe sport that's needed," Seth interrupted, "and besides, even if I goto the night-school, I'll get an hour in here between six an' seven----"

  "And a heap of fun you'll have with a lot of old cronies like us," 'Lishadded with a laugh.

  "I'd rather be here than anywhere else, sir, an' if you want to give mea good time now and then, an' I happen to be 'round when there's analarm, let me go out with Ninety-four; that'll be fun enough."

  'Lish winked at his comrades as if this remark pleased him exceedingly,and put an end to the conversation by saying:

  "Look in here to-morrow night, lad, and we'll see whether it's possibleto help out your firebug or not. Now go home and turn in, for you can'tget too much sleep while you're young."

  Seth obeyed without delay what was little less than a command, and,hastening to Mrs. Hanson's dwelling, repeated to his roommates and TeddyBowser all the driver had said to him concerning the possibilities ofaiding Jip Collins.

  The boys were sadly disappointed because there was no actual promise ofassistance.

  They had come to believe, because they hoped it would be so, that Mr.Davis could immediately devise some plan whereby Jip might be releasedfrom prison, and since he did not appear to be sympathetic andenthusiastic on the subject they feared he might fail to take any activepart.

  "I am certain he will get a lawyer for him anyhow," Seth said in replyto their complaint, "an' that's what we couldn't do ourselves. If itwasn't for goin' to headquarters I'd try to see the poor fellowto-morrow. Of course I wouldn't be able to do anythin' for him, but itwould make him feel kind of good to know we was willin' to help."

  "I'll go there to-morrow," Dan cried, pleased at the idea of doingsomething, even though he could not hope to effect any change in Jip'scondition. "I'll tell him what we've tried to do, an' there'll be somesatisfaction in that anyhow."

  Then Seth proposed that Master Roberts should hang around outside theDepartment headquarters at about six o'clock in the afternoon in orderto report the result of the interview, after which he would visit Mr.Davis again.

  With this programme for the coming day thus settled upon, the amateurfireman suggested that Teddy Bowser go home in order that he and hisroommates might retire, and half an hour later Mrs. Hanson's lodgerswere sleeping soundly.

  The sun had not shown his face above the eastern horizon next morningwhen Seth was at work in Ninety-four's quarters, performing such laboras came to hand, and, owing to the fact that the company had beenfighting fire nearly all night, no one save the house watchman wasstirring when the amateur set off for his regular duties.

  At fifteen minutes before the hour of seven "Ninety-four's kid," as someof the clerks at headquarters had already designated Seth, entered thegymnasium with a bustling air as if the hardest tasks would be no morethan a pleasure.

  "Had your breakfast?" Mr. Fernald asked gruffly.

  "Yes, sir."

  "How long since you turned out?"

  "It wasn't quite light when I left the house, sir." br />
  "Have you been here all that time?"

  "Oh no, sir. You see, I go over to Ninety-four's quarters to shine thecompany, an' it stands me in hand to be out of bed pretty early."

  "What do you do to the company?" Mr. Fernald asked, as an expression ofbewilderment came over his face.

  "I shine for all hands--black their boots, you know."

  "Yes, I understand now. Isn't the work here enough to satisfy you, butthat you must needs look around for more?"

  "But I belong to that company, sir, an' have to see my share of thebusiness is done right up to the mark," Seth replied proudly, and thenhe explained to Mr. Fernald why he was eager to continue his connectionwith those who had already done so much to assist him.

  "You seem precious eager to be a fireman."

  "So I am, sir, an' I'm hopin' to get along here so Ninety-four's menwon't think I'm a duffer for not pushin' ahead."

  Fernald questioned him closely regarding his ambition to belong to theDepartment, and without being really aware of the fact Seth had soontold him all he knew concerning himself and his desires.

  "I don't say as you've got it in you to be a fireman," the old man said,thoughtfully; "but it strikes me you carry a good bit of sand, an' I'vea mind to do even more than I promised 'Lish Davis. See here, my lad,supposing you could practise here two or three hours a day, would ittire you out so that the regular duties might be slighted?"

  "If you'll give me the chance, sir, I'll work enough later nights tomake up for it all," the boy replied eagerly.

  "I guess Davis didn't lay it on any too thick when he told me about you.Now see here, you'll begin the day with a regular course of training,working until nine o'clock, after which time you'll get down to a boy'sbusiness, see?"

  "Yes, sir," Seth replied, trembling so violently with pleasure thatonly by the greatest exertion could he prevent his voice from quavering.

  "Had a bath this morning?"

  "No, sir."

  "Then get one, and remember to tumble into cold water the first thingafter coming here."

  Seth was off like a flash, and when he returned, glowing with thehealthful exercise, Josh Fernald gave him the first lesson in physicaltraining.

  Before it was concluded "Ninety-four's kid" came to understand that'Lish Davis had only spoken the truth when he said the instructor wasnot a man who would "let up on boys to any extent," for Seth was forcedto exert himself as he never remembered to have done during any previoustwo hours of his life.

  Then the lesson was concluded, and the amateur set about his ordinaryduties, working unusually hard lest Mr. Fernald should decide that hecould not at the same time attend to gymnastics and perform the servicesfor which he was paid by the city.

  He was thoroughly tired when the hour for supper came around; but sohappy at having made some slight advancement toward his goal in lifethat all else was as nothing.

  That evening he bade Mr. Fernald "good-night," and received in reply thecaution:

  "Don't think you'll find any snap here; it's precious hard work, an'won't grow easier."

  "I'll stick at it, sir, if you don't get tired showin' me how," Sethcried gleefully, and as he walked sturdily toward the staircase, holdinghimself erect and with head thrown well back like some animal gloryingin his strength, the old instructor gazed after him in almost a friendlymanner.

  Seth was so elated with the idea that he could tell Ninety-four's menthat he had actually begun his training, as to have nearly forgotten theappointment made with Dan; but he soon remembered it when Master Robertsdarted out from a hiding-place near at hand.

  "Well, I've seen him," he cried before Seth had time to speak.

  "Who?"

  "Jip Collins, of course."

  "How'd you get in?"

  "I was hangin' 'round there lookin' for a chance when your 'Lish Daviscome along with a lawyer, an' I asked 'em to let me go in with them."

  "Mr. Davis took a lawyer there?" Seth repeated in astonishment.

  "That's what he did, an' I tell you, Seth, that fireman is a jim dandy,an' no mistake!"

  "Don't you s'pose I know that after all this time?"

  "Yes; but yet you didn't think he'd do so much, eh?"

  "He's mighty good to everybody. How was Jip lookin'?"

  "Terrible down. You'd think he was expectin' to be hanged by the way hetakes on. I felt awful sorry for him, even if he did burn us out."

  "What did he say?"

  "Not much of anythin'; but kept cryin' 'bout all the time. Sam Barneymust be feelin' awful good after makin' so much trouble."

  "Have you seen _him_?" Seth asked, sharply.

  "If I had he'd be lookin' for a doctor. I'm jest achin' to get my handson that duffer in some side street where the perlice won't come snoopin''round."

  "See here, Dan, you mustn't fight if you ever want to get that ThirdAvenoo store, for I tell you no feller gets ahead by bein' a tough. Whatdid the lawyer say?"

  "I didn't hear him yip; but reckon you'll know all about it after goin'over to Ninety-four's house."

  "That's where I'm bound for now. Wait outside for me, an' I'll come toyou as soon as I can."

  "I don't suppose I could sneak in?"

  "I'd rather you didn't, Dan, 'cause it would look as if I was gettin'mighty fresh to bring my chums along."

  "All right, old man; I'll wait outside."

  There was so much in Seth's mind that he could not indulge inconversation at that moment, and he walked so rapidly that Dan had butlittle opportunity for speaking, however much he might have desired tosay.

  At the engine-house he found nearly all the company on the lower floormuch as if waiting for his report, and 'Lish Davis greeted him byasking:

  "Well, Amateur, nothing but window-washing to-day?"

  "No, sir-ee! Mr. Fernald has begun to give me lessons in the gymnasium,an' I'm to practise there two hours every day from this out--that is, solong as I do it an' keep my reg'lar work up in shape, which, 'cordin' tomy way of thinkin', will be every minute I have the chance of stayin'there."

  "Did Josh really put you into physical training as quick as this?" Mr.Davis asked, almost incredulously.

  "That's what he did, an' though I didn't get many points 'bout fires,it'll help me to grow in great shape."

  Then Dan, waiting near the door on the outside, heard Ninety-four's crewcheering loudly, and he was sadly at a loss to understand the meaning ofsuch merriment when he believed they were discussing poor Jip's sadsituation.