But, alas, they had no light.
And then, while he thought of that, the world was all light.

A sheet of flame burst from the hood, dazzled, blinded, scorched him; a crashing report filled his ears; he recoiled.

The ball had missed him, had gone between him and Marcadel and struck neither.

But for a moment in pure amazement, he stood gaping.
That moment had been his last had the defence lain with him only, or even with him and Marcadel.

It was the senseless form that cumbered the uppermost step which saved them.