Men and boys were running at the top of their speed, and shouting at the top of their voices; women were gazing from doors and windows, and the merry jingle of the bells of the fire-engines were soon heard, as the brave fire laddies were rushing to the rescue of the burning building.
"The very thing!" ejaculated the chief.

"I must go to the fire, and do you come along with me.

Tom Nelson is one of the most active firemen of the city, and I will point him out to you.

After that you must work your own way, for if I was to approach him upon the subject, he would become suspicious at once." So saying the chief hurried out of the hotel, closely followed by the detective.

Turning a corner they saw, not a great distance off, the flames leaping from the windows and roof of a large frame structure, which was blazing and crackling like a huge pile of kindling prepared for the torch.