nds of God. If He
wishes, we shall be together at the end, whenever or wherever that may
be."

They picked up the trail of the wire on the steps and followed it down
the avenue, taking care not to touch it with their feet. It was easy
enough to follow, for the wire, if not bright, was self-coloured, and
showed clearly. They followed it out of the gateway and into the avenue
of Diana's Grove.

Here a new gravity clouded Adam's face, though Mimi saw no cause for
fresh concern. This was easily enough explained. Adam knew of the
explosive works in progress regarding the well-hole, but the matter had
been kept from his wife. As they stood near the house, Adam asked Mimi
to return to the road, ostensibly to watch the course of the wire,
telling her that there might be a branch wire leading somewhere else. She
was to search the undergrowth, and if she found it, was to warn him by
the Australian native "Coo-ee!"

Whilst they were standing together, there came a blinding flash of
lightning, which lit up for several seconds the whole area of earth and
sky. It was only the first note of the celestial prelude, for it was
followed in quick succession by numerous flashes, whilst the crash and
roll of thunder seemed continuous.

Adam, appalled, drew his wife to him and held her close. As far as he
could estimate by the interval between lightning and thunder-clap, the
heart of the storm was still some distance off, so he felt no present
concern for their safety. Still, it was apparent that the course of the
storm was moving swiftly in their direction. The lightning flashes came
faster and faster and closer together; the thunder-roll was almost
continuous, not stopping for a moment--a new crash beginning before the
old one had ceased. Adam kept looking up in the direction where the kite
strained and struggled at its detaining cord, but, of course, the dull
evening light prevented any distinct scrutiny.

At length there came a flash so appallingly bright that in its glare
Nature seemed to be standing still. So long did it last, that there was
time to distinguish its configuration. It seemed like a mighty tree
inverted, pendent from the sky. The whole country around within the
angle of vision was lit up till it seemed to glow. Then a broad ribbon
of fire seemed to drop on to the tower of Castra Regis just as the
thunder crashed. By the glare, Adam could see the tower shake and
tremble, and finally fall to pieces lik