It came and went; as a flash of lightning betrays the oncoming storm.
The chimney! His heart missed a beat.

He had forgotten the chimney.
The reaction affected him like a blow.

A snarl twisted his mouth.
What was this chimney to any other man?
Only he of all men, knew.

And yet, here was some one stealthily at work, forestalling him, knocking the bottom out of his great dream.

There was nothing pleasant in the growing expression an his face; it was the tiger, waking.