"Just like him. I'm ashamed to have such a nephew. It would have served him right if you had left him to his fate."
"You wouldn't have advised that, I am sure, Mr. Crane."
"No, I don't know as I would; though it makes me mad to see a boy so mean and ungrateful."
For half an hour they remained in the boat talking about various subjects. Alonzo Crane evidently enjoyed the trip.
"I'm glad I came to Portville after all," he said.
But there was a sudden and startling interruption. From a large house a hundred feet from the lake a sheet of flame became visible. Gerald saw it first.
"Mr. Nugent's house is on fire!" he exclaimed. "Let us land and see if we can give any assistance."
CHAPTER IX
A LUCKY RESCUE
There was no time lost in reaching shore. Gerald and Mr. Crane jumped from the boat and ran to the house. It was a large, handsome house, and presumably the home of a rich man. Most of the houses in Portville were of two stories, but this consisted of three. Alonzo opened the front door, followed closely by Gerald.