The door leading to the boiler-room had been left open by Croly, and it had glass panels, through which Joe Cuttle could be seen hard at work, feeding the hungry furnaces.
Larry dared not wait another moment. He stepped quickly to the door and called out:
"Joe, come here a moment!"
"Yes, my lad."
The furnace door closed with a clang. The fireman paused to pull at an iron rod that was suspended against the wall, and the short, quick roar of the five-minute whistle sounded.
Larry had wheeled about the instant he saw Joe start in obedience to his call, and he was in time to see Croly again in the act of seizing the valve-gear.
Without an instant's hesitation, he took hold of the wheel, and held it firmly, at the same time calling:
"Quick, Joe!"
The big fireman appeared, and his single eye looked from the face of the boy to that of Croly.
"Did'st thee want me, lad?" he asked, in his gruff tones.