'I don't know if it is true, but take him away.

I'm not safe while he's there; they will murder me! Go, go!' Miss Anne led Stephen away; and no sooner were they outside the room, than the master rushed forward and locked and barred the door securely behind them.

There was a window in the landing, looking over the yard where the housebreakers were, and they stood at it in silence, straining their eyes into the darkness.

But it did not remain dark long; for a thin, bright flame burst up from behind the dairy wall, and by its fitful blaze they could see the figures of four men coming rapidly round from that corner of the old building.
'Fire! fire!' they shouted, in wild voices of alarm, and beating the iron-studded door with heavy sticks.

'Wake up, master! wake up! the house is on fire!' Their only answer was a frantic scream from the servant, who thrust her head out of her window, and echoed their shouts with piercing cries.