'We couldn't find you, of course--and we couldn't get in--but the firemen told us every one was safely out.

And then I heard a voice at my ear say, "Cyril, Anthea, Robert, and Jane"-- and something touched me on the shoulder.

It was a great yellow pigeon, and it got in the way of my seeing who'd spoken.

It fluttered off, and then some one said in the other ear, "They're safe at home"; and when I turned again, to see who it was speaking, hanged if there wasn't that confounded pigeon on my other shoulder.

Dazed by the fire, I suppose.