Pell-mell down the stairs rushed the youths, one after another. In the meantime Senator Morr was dressing and so were the others of the household.
"Be careful, boys! Don't go too close!" warned Mrs. Morr.
"Watch out for an explosion!" puffed her husband. The senator was so stout that dressing in a hurry was no easy matter for him.
When the boys got out in the garden they found the chauffeur and the gardener at work, trying to pull the burning brushwood away from the garage. The flames were crackling merrily and the sparks were flying in various directions.
"I'm going in and get that big cannon cracker," said Roger to Phil, in a low voice, so that the others might not hear.
"I'll go with you, Roger. Be careful, though, the sparks are flying all round that doorway."
"I've shut everything!" bawled the chauffeur, as he saw Roger at the big sliding doors. "Better not open up, or the fire will get inside."
"I've got to go in, Jake!" answered Roger. "I've got to get something out."
"What?" asked Dave, who was close by.
"Never mind, Dave. It's something that can't be left in there," and so speaking Roger slid open a door and hurried inside the garage. Phil came directly behind him.