s, trembling with horror of
what must be their meaning.

"May be he arrested him," suggested the girl.

"I hope so. Come; let's go to bed: there's no use staying out here in
the cold and dark."

Hosmer had left the sitting-room door open, and Therese entered. She
approached Fanny's door and knocked twice: not brusquely, but
sufficiently loud to be heard from within, by any one who was awake.
No answer came, and she went away, knowing that Fanny slept.

The unusual sound of the bell, ringing two hours past midnight--that
very deadest hour of the night--had roused the whole plantation. On
all sides squads of men and a few venturesome women were hurrying
towards the fire; the dread of supernatural encounters overcome for
the moment by such strong reality and by the confidence lent them in
each other's company.

There were many already gathered around the mill, when Gregoire and
Hosmer reached it. All effort to save anything had been abandoned as
useless. The books and valuables had been removed from the office. The
few householders--mill-hands--whose homes were close by, had carried
their scant belongings to places of safety, but everything else was
given over to the devouring flames.

The heat from this big raging fire was intense, and had driven most of
the gaping spectators gradually back--almost into the woods. But
there, to one side, where the fire was rapidly gaining, and making
itself already uncomfortably felt, stood a small awe-stricken group
talking in whispers; their ignorance and superstition making them
irresolute to lay a hand upon the dead Jocint. His body lay amongst
the heavy timbers, across a huge beam, with arms outstretched and head
hanging down upon the ground. The glazed eyes were staring up into the
red sky, and on his swarthy visage was yet the horror which had come
there, when he looked in the face of death.

"In God's name, what are you doing?" cried Hosmer. "Can't some of you
carry that boy's body to a place of safety?"

Gregoire had followed, and was looking down indifferently at the dead.
"Come, len' a han' there; this is gittin' too durn hot," he said,
stooping to raise the lifeless form. Hosmer was preparing to help him.
But there was some one staggering through the crowd; pushing men to
right and left. With now a hand upon the breast of both Hosmer and
Gregoire, and thrusting them with such force and violence, as to lay
them prone amongst the timbers. It was the father. It was old