“Yes, but I don’t think it is any of the main buildings,” returned another student.

“I hope not,” came from Sam.

There was one more small rise to climb, and then they came into full view of what was ahead.  Through the trees they saw that one of the large barns, in which the fire had evidently started, was almost totally consumed.  The slight wind that was blowing had carried the sparks to one of the wings of the main building, and this was now in flames at several points.

“Here comes the fire engine!” cried Bob, as the touring car swept through the seminary grounds; and he pointed down the opposite road.  Along this a small engine from a nearby town was approaching, hauled by a score of men and boys.  Far down another road could be heard the tooting of another engine, probably from some other town.

“We might give some of those fellows help,” suggested Songbird.  “What’s the matter with running the car down to where they are, and hitching fast?”

“You can do it, Songbird, if you wish,” returned Tom, hurriedly.  “I’ll join you just as soon as I find out if the girls are safe.”

“And I’ll go with Tom,” put in Sam.

“Oh, they must be safe; the fire isn’t in that part of the building,” broke in Stanley.  “But go ahead, you fellows, we’ll take care of the machine.”  For he well understood how anxious the Rovers must be regarding the Laning girls.

Leaping from the touring car, Sam and Tom joined the crowd in the vicinity of the fire, composed mostly of girl students and their teachers.  About a score of men and boys living in the vicinity had come up, and these, with the hired help from the institution, were doing all in their power, to subdue the flames.

“Did all of the girls get out?” asked Tom, of the first teacher he met.

“I don’t know—­ I think so,” was the answer.

The boys pushed their way along from one group of students to another, trying to catch sight of those whom they were seeking.  In the meantime, Songbird and the others from Brill had taken charge of the touring car, and run it down a side road, where they hooked fast to one of the arriving fire engines, much to the relief of those who had been dragging the machine over the somewhat rough highway, and were almost exhausted.

“Oh, Sam!” The cry came from Grace, and the next instant the girl rushed up and fairly threw herself into the arms of the youngest Rover.

“Where is Nellie?” he demanded, quickly.  “Is she safe?”

“Here I am!” was the call, and then Nellie came up and caught Tom by the shoulder.  “Oh, isn’t this dreadful!”

“It sure is, Nellie,” returned Tom, as he slipped his arm around her waist.  “But I am mighty glad that you are safe.  Do you think everybody is out?”

“We don’t know, but they ought to be out, for we had plenty of warning.  The fire started in the barn, you know.”

“What caused it?”