By noon the fire was under control. It had burnt itself out, and all that remained of the establishment was its four scorched walls, and the mass of half burned stock and fixtures within. Part of the stock had been saved, and this was transferred to an empty store near by.
The boys assisted in this work until late in the evening, and also all day Saturday.
In the middle of Saturday afternoon Mr. Mann came to them and paid them their week's wages.
"You had both better find other places," he said. "We have got into difficulty with the insurance companies, and it may be some time before our claim is adjusted. Besides, Mr. Williams speaks of retiring, and in that case I will probably join some other firm."
This was dismaying news. Yet neither could blame Mr. Mann, though it threw them both out of employment without notice.
"You may help us here next week," went on Mr. Mann. "But next Saturday will finish the job. I will give both of you first-class recommendations, and if I hear of any openings will let you know."
And Mr. Mann went away to carry his news to the other clerks.
"It's too bad," said Frank, when he was gone. "It won't be an easy job to find another place."
"No, indeed," replied Richard. "Still, we can't complain of the way they have treated us."
Both of the boys wore sober faces that night. To Richard came the ever-recurring, thought, what next?