"I chust come,
and vos putting on mine odder coat ven I heard an explosion vich knock
me mine feets off, and I rund out like I vos killed, and der whole
place was on fire in two seconds already."
"Was Larry killed?" asked Frank.
Larry was the engineer and porter around the place.
"No, he vos out, getting a pite to eat," replied the shipping-clerk.
Despite the efforts of the firemen, the flames made rapid progress,
and in an hour the "fireproof" building was known to be doomed. Both
of the heads of the firm had been sent for, and Mr. Williams soon put
in an appearance.
He was pale and excited, and shook his head sadly when his many
employees offered their services in any way they could be used.
"We can do nothing at present," he said. "The insurance companies have
entire charge."
"I hope you are covered, Mr. Williams," said Richard earnestly.
"Very nearly so," was the reply. "The stop to business will be our
worst loss. There is no telling when we will be able to resume. I only
trust the accounts in the safes are all right."
By noon the fire was under control. It had burnt itself out, and all
that remained of the establishment was its four scorched walls, and
the mass of half burned stock and fixtures within. Part of the stock
had been saved, and this was transferred to an empty store near by.
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