"Wonder how it caught?" said Richard.
"Der poiler in der pasement busted," put in Bretzwartz. "I chust come, and vos putting on mine odder coat ven I heard an explosion vich knock me mine feets off, and I rund out like I vos killed, and der whole place was on fire in two seconds already."
"Was Larry killed?" asked Frank.
Larry was the engineer and porter around the place.
"No, he vos out, getting a pite to eat," replied the shipping-clerk.
Despite the efforts of the firemen, the flames made rapid progress, and in an hour the "fireproof" building was known to be doomed. Both of the heads of the firm had been sent for, and Mr. Williams soon put in an appearance.
He was pale and excited, and shook his head sadly when his many employees offered their services in any way they could be used.
"We can do nothing at present," he said. "The insurance companies have entire charge."
"I hope you are covered, Mr. Williams," said Richard earnestly.
"Very nearly so," was the reply. "The stop to business will be our worst loss. There is no telling when we will be able to resume. I only trust the accounts in the safes are all right."