“Are you—are you sure?” faltered Glen Forker.
“Yes. Come on! It’s all down in the boiler-room.”
Thus assured, the three bullies, who were the worst kind of cowards, followed Jack through the smoke-filled corridors. When the four appeared there was a cheer, and Professors Socrat and Garlach embraced each other again.
“It’s all out!” cried Nat Anderson, running from the boiler-room. “Fire’s all out!”
He was smoke-begrimed, and his thin clothing was wet through.
“Are you sure there is no more danger?” asked Dr. Mead.
“None at all,” answered Nat.
Jack hurried up to join his chum. The snow was changing into rain, mingled with sleet, and it was freezing as it fell.
“Say, if I was you I’d go in,” exclaimed a voice at Jack’s elbow, and he turned to see a lad standing near him, whose lower jaw was slowly moving up and down, for he was chewing gum.