By this time several other engines had arrived, and half a dozen streams of water were being poured on the flames. The firemen had a hard fight of it, but in less than an hour the fire was under control, although they continued on guard and would allow no one within the fire lines.
Bob stood around for a while longer, and then he suddenly remembered the photographs in his pocket. He pulled them out, and found they were uninjured, which was strange, considering the rough usage they had seen.
“I might as well deliver these, and get it off my hands,” he said to himself. “I wonder if Mr. Starleigh saved the plate, so that we can print the others.”
Bob returned to the drug-store. He found a fellow-photographer talking to Mr. Starleigh. A number of plates had been saved, among them the one containing Ralph Maverick’s picture, and these the other photographer said he would finish for Mr. Starleigh.
At the drug-store Bob brushed up as best he could. His new coat had several small holes burnt in it, but this could not be helped.
Arriving at the Maverick mansion, he rang the bell and asked for Mr. Ralph Maverick.
“Yes, he is in.”
“Please tell him I come from Mr. Starleigh’s studio.”
The servant who had answered the summons retired, and presently Ralph Maverick appeared.
He was well satisfied with the picture.