the graying murk of the night and the fog. That fog
was showing a light which was not that of the dawn. It was a spreading,
baleful, reddening glare, and after a few moments it covered all the
sky.

Then men began to shout. There was an especial uproar from one quarter.
The Squire knew that in the direction of the hullabaloos were located
the camps in which were lodged the imported workmen who had wrought into
solid structure the plans of the mansion that Britt had held in pictured
form before the eyes of Egypt.

The feet of running men pounded along the highway. Somebody cried, in
clarion tones, "It's Tasp Britt's new house!"

The Squire ran into the road, and Bangs followed.

The notary hailed a little group of men who came rushing from the
direction of the main part of the village. "Why aren't you bringing the
tub? Fetch Hecla! Quick, men!"

"She's gone!" panted one of the group.

"Gone?"

"There wasn't any wagon left behind, Squire, and they had to haul that
gold. They hove it into Hecly's water tank and formed a guard, and she's
been a whole half hour gone!"

At that juncture a man came running to them from the direction of the
fire. The Squire recognized him as the boss of the carpenters. "Mr.
Britt is in that house. I saw him through a window. But it's a furnace
from top to bottom."

The Squire opened his mouth as if query, urgently demanding utterance,
had pried apart his jaws. "How do you think the fire--" But he promptly
closed his mouth and set his lips tightly. He shook his head with
the manner of one who did not require information. Then he turned and
hurried to his house.

Colonel Wincott and Xoa were on the porch, lighted by the great, red
torch whose radiance was flung afar by the reflector aid of the fog.

"It's Britt's house--and Britt is in it," he told them. "Colonel, your
man Friday had over many times one text that fits this thing. 'Can a man
take fire into his bosom, and his clothing not be burned?'"

He went to Xoa and patted her arm. "Better go inside, mother. It isn't a
good thing to be looking at. Where are the children?"

Frank and Vona answered that question by appearing in the door. They
were honestly affected by the news the Squire gave them. Vona hid her
face against the young man's breast.

"It seems to be a self-operating proposition," stated Colonel Wincott.
"And about all anybody can do is to let it flicker!"

Vaniman was clearly not the captain of his soul in those