rry-tree. It was no more to be noted than
if a troop of dim and silent gray monkeys had been climbing a
grapevine into the clouds.

After a moment the window brightened as if the four panes of it had
been stained with blood, and a quick ear might have been led to
imagine the fire-imps calling and calling, clan joining clan,
gathering to the colors. From the street, however, the house
maintained its dark quiet, insisting to a passer-by that it was the
safe dwelling of people who chose to retire early to tranquil dreams.
No one could have heard this low droning of the gathering clans.

Suddenly the panes of the red window tinkled and crashed to the
ground, and at other windows there suddenly reared other flames, like
bloody spectres at the apertures of a haunted house. This outbreak had
been well planned, as if by professional revolutionists.

A man's voice suddenly shouted: "Fire! Fire! Fire!" Hannigan had flung
his pipe frenziedly from him because his lungs demanded room. He
tumbled down from his perch, swung over the fence, and ran shouting
towards the front-door of the Trescotts'. Then he hammered on the
door, using his fists as if they were mallets. Mrs. Trescott instantly
came to one of the windows on the second floor. Afterwards she knew
she had been about to say, "The doctor is not at home, but if you will
leave your name, I will let him know as soon as he comes."

Hannigan's bawling was for a minute incoherent, but she understood
that it was not about croup.

"What?" she said, raising the window swiftly.

"Your house is on fire! You're all ablaze! Move quick if--" His cries
were resounding, in the street as if it were a cave of echoes. Many
feet pattered swiftly on the stones. There was one man who ran with an
almost fabulous speed. He wore lavender trousers. A straw hat with a
bright silk band was held half crumpled in his hand.

As Henry reached the front-door, Hannigan had just broken the lock
with a kick. A thick cloud of smoke poured over them, and Henry,
ducking his head, rushed into it. From Hannigan's clamor he knew only
one thing, but it turned him blue with horror. In the hall a lick of
flame had found the cord that supported "Signing the Declaration." The
engraving slumped suddenly down at one end, and then dropped to the
floor, where it burst with the sound of a bomb. The fire was already
roaring like a winter wind among the pines.

At the head of the stairs Mrs. Trescott was waving her arms