"I don't care! You can't pass here!"

Bert wondered at the man's mysterious action, but the boy had no right
to dispute the peremptory orders.

"Put out that fire back there," went on Mr. Muchmore, motioning to
where Bert had come from. "That is all there is in the house. And
don't you dare pass into this hall."

"Very well," replied the young captain, quietly, as he returned to Tom
and Charlie.

Just then he thought he saw a flicker of flame beyond where Muchmore
was standing. He started forward to investigate.

"Keep back, I tell you!" cried the man, and he thrust Bert to one side
so violently that the young fireman hit the wall with considerable
force.

"There's no need for you to do that!" Bert exclaimed, highly
indignant. "I only want to help put out the fire!"

"You can't come in this hall!" declared the man, and then, before Bert
could answer, he turned and ran along it at full speed.

"Well, he certainly acts queer," thought the boy, but, as a second
look convinced him that there was no blaze in that part of the house,
he returned to his chums.