Such of it as could not find this means of outlet doubled back floorward, filling the room with chokingly thick fumes which wellnigh blinded and strangled the man and blotted out all details of shape and direction.
But already Gavin Brice had slipped to the floor, his thin-shod feet planted in the midst of the blaze, whose flames and sparks licked eagerly at his ankles and legs.
Following the trail of fire which led to the box.

Gavin strode through the very center of this blazing path, heedless of the burns.

Well did he know the snakes would shrink away from actual contact with the fire.

And he preferred surface burns to a fatal bite in ankle or foot.
As he reached the box its corners had already caught fire from the licking flames below.

Heaving up the burning receptacle.
Brice looked under it.