for buckets. Bob knew where there was one under the school building, in use when people drove to the school and wanted to water their horses. He got it out quickly and ran to the pump.
"Help me, Frank," he called.
Frank and Sammy took turns in pumping. Bob ran with the pail to a man at the broken-in door. The man threw the water inside and Bob went back after more water. Then two men arrived with buckets from the nearest house, and soon half a dozen pails were in use.
Men took the place of the boys and crowded them out of service, but they had done their part.
"What's that, now?" spoke Bob, as, rounding the building, they came to the little addition to the main school building, used as a storeroom.
"Why," shouted Sammy, "there's some one inside!"
"It looks so," spoke Frank, in wonder. Bang, clatter, crash!—the rear window of the storeroom was smashed out from inside. A man leaped into view. He must have been sleeping in the place, and the fire must have started between the storeroom and the schoolhouse door. He could not get past it, and had broken out that way.
The flames showed the man plainly. He was a stranger to Fairview, and had a green patch over one eye. As he jumped from the window he stumbled and fell to the ground. He was on his feet at once. Then he started to run away from the spot.
"Say, I know him!" cried Bob.
"Who is it?" asked Frank.
"One of the robbers!"
"You don't say so!" spoke Sammy.
"Stop that man—stop that man!" yelled Bob at the top of his voice.
