Some one elbowed his way through the people, and bending over Billy, made a swift examination of his injuries. “Lungs,” he said, tersely. “He’s bleeding internally. Nothing to be done.” “Take ’im to the ’orspital,” shouted a voice. “He’ll die before you get him there,” muttered the doctor. Aldwyth was kneeling now. Her left arm supported Billy as he lay; her right hand held his twitching fingers. Azrael, Angel of Death, was drawing near. “Billy,” she said softly, “Billy.” The boy’s eyes opened, and he smiled a startled smile. Then, stooping, her face almost as white as his, she whispered in his ear the Sacred Name. The child gazed at her fixedly, questioningly. “He died for you, Billy, and you are going to live with Him.” “Say it again,” he panted, eagerly. Once more she said it. The child sighed faintly. Had he heard? Azrael, Angel of Death, was very near. “Dear Billy,” she whispered once more, “He died for you, and you are going to live with Him.” Again his face was eager. “Please thank Him for me, mum. Please----” The voice had died away. Billy of Mayfair would speak no more. But, perchance, the Angel heard, and bore the message to Him who loves the children of our race. CHAPTER XXX THE FATE OF PORTSMOUTH DOCKYARD On the night of Bank Holiday, Londoners did not lack illumination. Gas and electric light had failed, but north and south, and east and west, the lurid glare of burning buildings filled the sky. Cries of “Fire! Fire!” in every quarter of the town brought pale, affrighted people from their houses to the roadways or the roofs. This added terror of wholesale arson stupefied the luckless householders. The fires--some said there were forty, fifty, sixty--had free play, for the extreme section of the Leaguers--now known as Raggett’s Men--by concerted action, after dark, had rushed nearly all the stations of the Fire Brigade and forcibly removed the horses. The most destructive of these fires occurred in Bartholomew Close, where closely packed warehouses in yards and tortuous streets gave free scope to the spreading flames. At one time it was feared that the great hospital itself would be involved, and the troops were ordered out to aid the civil power and keep some order among the excited crowds.