He let the others in by the back door.

And when it had been bolted again the children went all over the house and lighted every single gas-jet they could find.

For they couldn't help feeling that this was just the dark dreary winter's evening when an armed burglar might easily be expected to appear at any moment.

There is nothing like light when you are afraid of burglars--or of anything else, for that matter.
And when all the gas-jets were lighted it was quite clear that the Phoenix had made no mistake, and that Eliza and cook were really out, and that there was no one in the house except the four children, and the Phoenix, and the carpet, and the blackbeetles who lived in the cupboards on each side of the nursery fire-place.

These last were very pleased that the children had come home again, especially when Anthea had lighted the nursery fire.