in the cellar. It's the carbide I'm most worried about. We
daren't use water."

"But something will have to be done!" exclaimed Mr. Damon.
"Bless my red necktie, if we don't--"

"Better get back a way," suggested Tom. "Something may go off!"

His words of warning had their effect, and the whole circle
moved back several paces.

"Is there anything of value in the shed?" asked Ned.

"I should say there was!" Tom answered. "I hoped we could get
some of them out, but we can't now--until the fire dies down a
bit, at any rate."

"Look, Tom! The pattern shop roof is catching!" shouted Mr.
Swift, pointing to where a little spurt of flame showed on the
roof of a distant building.

"It's from sparks!" Tom said.

"Any danger of using water there?" Ned wanted to know.

"No, use all you like! That's the only thing to do. Come on,
you with the hose!" Tom yelled. "Save the other buildings!"

"But are you going to let the red shed burn?" asked Mr. Swift.
"You know what it means, Tom."