CHAPTER X
SAVING THE FLAGS
“Telephone for the town fire department!” cried Dr. Mead, who had been apprised of the fire. He, like all the others, was out in the storm, with a few clothes he had hastily donned.
“They can’t get in the boiler-room to fight the fire!” cried Socker.
“Why not?”
“Because the boiler will blow up. Something is wrong with the safety valve, and there are two hundred pounds of steam on. The boiler is only meant for one hundred.”
“How did the fire start? What made the safety valve get out of order?” asked the principal.
The group of students and teachers, standing in the storm, could now see the bright flicker of flames in the boiler-room. “I don’t know,” replied Socker. “I was asleep in front of the boiler, waiting to put some more coal on, when all of a sudden I smelled smoke.”
“How long before the boiler will go up?” asked Dr. Mead anxiously. “I have some valuable books I must save.”