A NONDESCRIPT Scarcely had quiet fallen upon the house--it was half an hour after midnight--when at the front door sounded a discreet but resolute knocking.

Mrs.Bubb, though she had retired to her chamber, was not yet wholly unpresentable; reluctantly, and with wonder, she went to answer the untimely visitor.

After a short parley through the gap of the chained door she ascended several flights and sought to arouse Mr.
Gammon--no easy task.
"What's up ?" shouted her lodger in a voice of half-remembered conviviality.

"House on fire ?" "I hope not indeed.

There wouldn't have been much chance for you if it was.