Five minutes later the roof of the building fell in, but there was every reason to believe that not a single human life had been sacrificed.
Al started for his hotel as quietly as if nothing unusual had happened. But he had gone only a few steps when he was overtaken by Mr. Wattles.
To his astonishment, the manager folded him in his arms, exclaiming:
"By Jove! I wish you were my son!"
"What's the matter now?" asked the boy, disengaging himself.
"Matter? Why, the matter is that you have in all probability saved the lives of several hundred people."
"Nonsense!"
"That's just what you have done, all the same. You have a cool head for such a young fellow—I can tell you that. If it hadn't been for you—I shudder to think of what might have happened. You are, as I have had occasion to remark before, a wonder."
"Nonsense, Mr. Wattles! But I must go now; mother is sure to be worrying about me."
"But there are a score of people waiting to be introduced to you, and I have promised to bring you back with me."