The fire had not gained much headway, and, under Bert's direction, a
long ladder was procured, raised against the side of the house, and
then, carrying the hose himself, the young chief ascended toward the
blaze.
"Give me the stream!" called Bert to Cole, who was in charge of the
engine.
From the nozzle came the white, frothy mixture. Bert directed it at
the window through which the flames were coming.
"Don't you dare go in that hall!" shouted Muchmore, running from the
side door of the house to the foot of the ladder. "The fire doesn't
amount to much. You can put it out from where you are, young man. I
never called your department out. The old woman got scared and sent in
the alarm. It's only some rubbish burning."
"I'll do as I think best about putting the fire out," replied Bert.
"Don't you go in that corridor!" yelled Muchmore, who seemed frantic
over something.
The chemical stream was already smothering the blaze, and Bert could
go a little farther up the ladder. He continued on, coming right
opposite the window. Then he knew it was the same casement from which
the mysterious message had been thrown. He could look in now, and he
saw that the fire came from a pile of rags and paper on the floor.
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