n of canvas opening upon the orchestra.

"Lieutenant Lacey, sir, says the band needn't play no more during
supper; and there's refreshments all ready in the little tent outside."

"Oh, thanks!" cried Wilkins. "Bring your instruments and music, and
then we needn't come up here again before we go to the ball-room.
Halloa! you smell it?"

"Yes, sir," said Jerry, who had been sniffing loudly. "Someone's been
turning on the gas here, and no mistake! Temp'ry pipes, I suppose."

"Doesn't it smell down below?"

"Yes, I did notice it a bit, sir, all along the tables; but nothing like
this."

"Never mind; let's get out of it. Soon blow away."

Wilkins set the example, and hurried out and down the step-ladder, which
took them outside, and, followed by the bandsmen, he made for the little
tent where their supper was laid.

They had to pass the end of the great marquee, and Dick and Jerry, who
were last, paused, while the latter drew the drapery a little on one
side, holding it back before letting it fall after him.

"I must get back to my table, sir," he said. "Like a peep from here?"

Dick nodded and stood at the opening, gazing along the marquee toward
the opening into the mess-room at the other end, the effect being very
beautiful, with the long row of gaseliers and the vista of flags and red
and white striped drapery running up to the narrow ridge of the roof.

But Dick saw nothing of this; his eyes sought the group right at the
other end beneath the little elevated orchestra he had just left, and he
was just making out where his cousin sat when there was a flash like
sheet-lightning running along the upper part of the canvas, reaching
from end to end. He felt himself thrust violently back, as he seemed to
be struck with something heavy and soft; then there was a deep, dull
report, as of thunder, and all was dark, while from where the marquee
had stood there came wild shrieks, cries for help, and a strange babel
of sounds, which, issuing from beneath what in the darkness looked like
a chaotic sea, were for the most part smothered and strange.

CHAPTER TWENTY NINE.

A FIERY TRIAL.

It needed no explanation. Dick grasped in an instant, as he sprang to
his feet, that the whole roof of the marquee had become filled with
escaped gas, and that at last this had exploded, bursting up the canvas,
which had fallen back with the chandeliers, drapery, flags, decorations,
and broken poles on the gaily-dressed crow