Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1935-06-23

into the burning cottage, Hicky was
unable to hold on. The flrebug
wrenched himself clear.
lust then Rofinie came up. He
clutched at the escaping man
and held him for moment. That
moment vas sufficient. Several men
at the fire, hearing Hickys cry, had
followed the boys. Maj. Webb ar
rived Just as the flrebug broke away
from Ronnie. He launched terrific
punch to the firebug's chin and
cropped him to the ground.
Maj. Webb and another man leaped
upon him and held him Down. Some
body brought a clothes line and in
a few moments the frebug was lying
on the ground, painting and writhing.
Ronnie bent over him and peered
into his insane, distorted face. Then
he uttered an exclamation.
"I thought SOL" he cried. cts
Charlie Coverley!"
Angry murmurs arose from the
men. Maj. Webb leaned over and
spoke sternly to Charlie, but the man
on the ground only muttered inco-
herently.
Hes crazy" the major said briefly.
"a pyromaniac. He's not responsible
for what he's doing-probably doesn't
even realize he's doing it. But that
doesn't make him any less dangerous.
He would have been o murderer TO-
night If it hadn't been for these boys.
Wen turn him over to the State .po-
lice"
p ONNIE linked his arm into Hicky's.
~ Remember when you were
patching that tire the other day, and
Charlie gave you match?" he said.
ct noticed his eyes then. They were
wild and glittering as he watched the
flame. and I wondered then If he
might not be the fire bug. But Herb
thought he was harmless"
Hicky shook his head. IT just hope
Herb isn't seriously hurt" he an
swered.
They hurried back toward the little
group clustered about Herbs figure
on the ground. Suddenly, with
crash and shower of sparks, the
whole roof of the f1imsy Ruth cottage
fell in. The flames f1ared higher for
time, then gradually faded down.
In another hour the cottage would
be nothing but a pile of smoking,
blackened ruins, burned to the ground.
Hicky turned to the group around
Herb. Emily, kneeling beside her
brother, raised anxious eyes to Hicky.
Then she smiled.
HE is conscious now" she said.
"And he says he's all right. But he
must have breathed a lot of smoke,
and I'm afraid he has some painful
burns. The doctor should be here
pretty SOON"
THEY carried Herb to the Mills cot
tage and put him to bed. Then
Mrs. Mills went back to see II Mrs.
Ruth had place to spend the night,
but discovered that other neighbors
were taking care Of the family. When
she returned, the doctor had arrived
from Lake End.
He examined Herb, dressed burns
on his face, hands and one leg, and
ordered him to stay in bed for sew
eral days.
Hell be all right when he gets all
the smoke out Of his lungs" he an
nounced. How long was he in the
burning cottage?"
Nobody knew. Hicky turned to Herb |
who was grinning rather feebly from |
the bed. "Tell us, Herb, how you |
ever got in there in the first place."
he said. II never have got that |
straight"
Herb licked his parched lips. ''When |,
Hicly gave the alarm" he explained, |
81 woke up, grabbed my clothes, and
dashed from the house. was little |
ahead Of Ronnie, Emily and mother. |
I saw you, Hicky, dash around the |
Ruth bungalow and go in the back |
door. A moment later Mrs. Ruth and |
the little boy came out, just as |
reached the back porch. She was |
hysterical, and said Mrs. Ruth and |
Grace were still In there. So went
In to help you get them out" 1