Chapter Nine. Auctions and Gymnastics.As the brothers drew near to the busy region of the City which lies to the north of London Bridge; Frank turned aside into one of the narrow streets that diverge from the main thoroughfare.
“Where are ye goin’?” inquired Willie.
“There was a fire here last night,” said Frank; “I want to have a look at the damage.”
“A fire!” exclaimed Willie. “Why, Blazes, it strikes me there’s bin more fires than usual last night in London.”
“Only two, lad.”
“ Only two! How many would you have?” asked Willie with a laugh.
“Don’t you know,” said Frank, “that we have about four fires every night? Sometimes more, sometimes fewer. Of course, we don’t all of us turn out to them; but some of the brigade turn out to that number, on an average, every night of the year.”
