The two boys, puzzled by Muchmore's queer actions, went back to where their companions were still playing water on the flames. The fire was now under control, the boys having prevented its spread beyond a small area. Quite a hole was burned in the floor, and the flames had eaten through the side of the house, and burned out two windows. A little more water served to put out the last sparks. "Guess we're done," said Charlie. "You can signal 'em to stop pumping, Captain Bert," and he laughed, for he was well pleased with his role of fireman. Bert blew the prearranged blasts on his whistle, and the boys at the brakes were glad enough to cease, for their arms ached with the strain. Those drawing water from the cistern likewise welcomed the respite. "Take up the hose," ordered Herbert, with as much importance as if he was a battalion chief of a big city department. Tom and Charlie went through the hall, dragging the two lines with them, and the hose was soon reeled back on the engine. "Guess we've done our share," declared Mr. Sagger, as he called to his men of the bucket brigade. "The fire's out!" "Well, I can't say that we did it all," Confessed Mr. Appelby. "The boys did the most of it." "We could have done it without them," asserted the butcher. "They were only in the way. We couldn't use the cistern." "I guess it's just as well they got there first," went on the mayor of Lakeville. "This looked like a bad blaze, and if it had got beyond control the whole house would have gone. It's as dry as tinder, and a regular death-trap." "Did you hear what started it, Mr. Appelby?" asked Cole, as he trimmed the lamps on the engine. "Overheated flue, according to the housekeeper. I was talking to her, but a young fellow came along and ordered her to stop. I wonder who he was?" "That's Muchmore," declared Herbert "He's in charge since Mr. Stockton has been away. He didn't want us to do anything toward saving some pictures, and he kept me from going in a certain hall. He's a queer chap." "I should say so," commented Mr. Appelby. "Maybe he lost his head on account of the fire." "And he lost his manners, too," added Vincent, at the recollection of Muchmore's mean words. "Well, the house is safe now," went on Mr. Appelby. "I guess we can leave. I suppose Muchmore can attend to things now. Let's gather up the buckets, Sagger, and go home. I'd like to get a little more sleep." The bucket brigade soon left, and, a little while later, the young firemen, pulling their engine, moved off down the hill, talking over the events of the night. They all agreed that they had been more successful than might have been expected of a new organization. "I think Muchmore might have at least thanked us," said Tom Donnell. "He didn't show up after his queer actions." "There's something funny about that man," declared Bert. "I never saw a person act so suspiciously. He seemed afraid that we would discover something." "Maybe he was," said George Perkins.