Perhaps in falling Cavendish's arm had caught in the curtains, pulling them from the supporting rod and dragging them across the table, thus sweeping the candlestick with its lighted tapers down to the floor with it.

There the extinguished wicks had ignited the draperies, which had fallen across the stricken man's face and body.

The clothes, torso, and legs, had been charred beyond recognition but the face, by some peculiar whim of fate, had been partly preserved.
The marauder, aware that the flames would obliterate a portion, if not all of the evidence against him, had rifled the safe in which, John testified, his cousin always kept considerable money.

Scattering broadcast valueless papers, he had safely made his escape through the window, leaving his victim's face to the licking flames.

Foot-prints below the window at the base of the fire-escape indicated that the fugitive had returned that way.