lark. The crews were very effective and well drilled, and the saving of
property was as well done as possible, but that was all secondary to the
game of it. But to-night they had been "washed," they had lost the game,
and the fact that they had put out the fire cut very little figure. There
was much bickering. It seemed that Bert Taylor, in his enthusiasm, had, out
of his own pocket, hired extra men who appeared at the critical moment to
relieve the tired men at the brakes; and it was under their fresh impetus
that the Monumental had so triumphantly "sucked." Now Bert Taylor was
freely blamed. The regular men stoutly maintained that if they had been
left alone this would never have happened.

"These whiskey bummers never can last!" they said. Everybody trooped
upstairs to the main rooms, where refreshments were served. After some
consideration Keith decided to tell his story in explanation of how it was
that the Monumentals were washed. Instantly the company cheered up, A
clamour broke out. This was great! With Talbot Ward and Munro to
corroborate, no one could doubt the story. Taylor ran about jubilantly,
returning every few moments to pat Keith on the shoulder.

"Fine! fine!" he cried. "We've got those _Eurekas_! I can't wait for
morning!"




XV


Keith got home about daylight to find Nan, terribly anxious, waiting up for
him. He brushed away her anxiety with the usual masculine impatience at