Presently there was a clatter and a clang of bells and the fire engine dashed into the yard, shooting sparks in a broad yellow stream from its stack. There was much shouting and giving of orders, and a moment later the hose cart, and the hook and ladder made their appearance. Whether or not it was the distraction caused by these events, Bob and Hugh never could explain to themselves. At any rate they must have relaxed their caution and paid less attention to their prisoner than they should, for with a sudden violent twist of his body he wrenched himself free and was gone. CHAPTER XXVI AN EXPEDITION IS PLANNED "Catch him! Catch him!" shrieked Bob hysterically. The man darted away in the direction of the fire engine with the two boys pursuing him at top speed. The fugitive was fleet of foot, however, as had already been proved to Bob and Hugh. He was gaining rapidly on his pursuers, while their shouts and calls were lost in the general hubbub and confusion incident to the fire. A short distance along the course of the chase two barrels supporting a plank were standing. As the man passed them he hesitated long enough to dislodge the plank and upset the barrels. They rolled directly in the path of the two boys, one of them causing Hugh to trip and fall. Bob kept up the chase, however, but the factory yard was now filled with people attracted by the fire and the man he followed soon eluded him in the crowd. There was nothing for Bob to do, but give up. He turned back and presently discovered Hugh limping toward him. "Hurt yourself?" he demanded. "I skinned my knee. Where's our man?" "He got away in the crowd." "We're a couple of fine ones," exclaimed Hugh disgustedly. "We certainly are," echoed Bob. "I'm getting so I'm ashamed to see father; all I do is report failures to him." "We'd better go back to the office and see him though." They returned to the office and at the door met Mr. Cook coming out. He greeted the boys heartily, for he had been worried about them. "I'm glad to see you two," he exclaimed. "I was afraid something had happened to you." "Oh, we're all right," said Bob. "Where's Lena?" "What do you mean?" demanded his father. "I haven't seen her." "Well, just look at that," said Bob, pointing to a dark stain on the floor. "That's where she was lying; she was the woman who screamed." "You don't tell me!" exclaimed Mr. Cook. "Was she badly hurt, and who shot her?" "We can't answer either question. All we know is that we found her outside, unconscious, and brought her in here. She was wounded in the shoulder and bleeding badly. We left her here and went out again." "Why didn't you telephone for a doctor?" "We did. We sent for Doctor Clarke." "And here's a note from him on the table here," exclaimed Hugh. As he spoke he handed the piece of paper to Mr. Cook. "'Have taken patient to hospital in order to remove bullet,'" Mr. Cook read aloud.