"Nothing, sir," said Frank. He paused for a moment, and then resumed--"Well, there _is_ something that perhaps you could do, sir. I have a little brother out of employment; if you could get him a situation, sir." "I will," said Mr Auberly with emotion. "Send him to me on Thursday forenoon. He will find me living next door to my--to my late home. I shall stay with a friend there for some time. Good-night." "Men of King Street engine get up," cried Dale. "Stay--what is your name?" said Mr Auberly turning round. But Frank was gone. He had leaped to his place on the engine and was off at a rattling pace through the now silent and deserted streets of the sleeping city. Although they drove on at great speed there was no shouting now, for neither 'bus, cab, nor foot-passenger blocked up the way, and the men, begrimed with smoke and charcoal, wet, and weary with two hours of almost uninterrupted labour of a severe as well as dangerous character, sat or stood in their places in perfect silence. On reaching the fire-station they leaped to the ground, and all went quickly and silently to their neighbouring homes and beds, except the two men on duty. These, changing their coats and boots, lay down on the trestles, and at once fell fast asleep--the engine and horses having been previously housed--and then Dale sat down to make an entry of the event in his day-book. The whole thing might have been only a vivid dream, so silent was the room and so devoid of any evidence of recent excitement, while the reigning tranquillity was enhanced rather than decreased by the soft breathing of the sleepers, the ticking of the clock, and the scratching of Dale's pen as he briefly recorded the facts of the fire that night in Beverly Square. CHAPTER FIVE. WILLIE WILLDERS IN DIFFICULTIES. During the progress of the fire, small Willie Willders was in a state of the wildest, we might almost say hilarious, excitement; he regarded not the loss of property; the fire never struck him in _that_ light. His little body and big spirit rejoiced in the whole affair as a magnificent display of fireworks and heroism. When the fire burst through the library windows he shouted; when Sam Forest, the conductor of the fire-escape, saved Mr Auberly and the women, he hurrahed; when the tall fireman and Baxmore rescued Louisa Auberly he cheered and cheered again until his shrill voice rose high above the shouting of the crowd. When the floors gave way he screamed with delight, and when the roof fell in he shrieked with ecstasy. Sundry and persevering were the efforts he made to break through the police by fair means and foul; but, in his energy, he over-reached himself, for he made himself so conspicuous that the police paid special attention to him, and wherever he appeared he was snubbed and thrust back, so that his great desire to get close to the men while they were at work was frustrated.