"I was very quiet, and I think they did not hear the movement. If you are right in your conjecture, they have thrown themselves into our hands; their being together in that room is an additional proof of their guilt." "Undoubtedly. They are trapped. What's that?" cried the detective, suddenly. "What?" asked Frederick, following the detective's startled glance, which was directed towards the first-floor window of No. 119. "A flash! There! Another! Do you see it? By God, sir! they have set fire to the house! Ah, here is Parrock," he said, turning to the man who had run quickly to his side. "What news?" "The house is on fire," said the man, who was out of breath with fast running. "Any fool can see that. Get to the back of the house instantly. Take another man with you, and arrest every person who attempts to escape." Parrock disappeared. By this time the flames were rushing out of the front window of the first floor. "Fire! Fire!" cried the detective. "The neighbourhood is roused already. Stand close by the street door, sir, and don't let Pelham slip you. He has set fire to the house, and hopes to escape in the confusion. Leave all the rest to me. There is the door of 118 opening, and there is your young lady, sir, safe and sound. I wish you joy. Waste as little time as possible on her. Your first thought must be for your father's murderers." As Frederick passed to the street door of 119 he caught Blanche's hand, and she accompanied him. He stooped and kissed her. "Thank God, you are safe," he said. "Our troubles are over. I have found my father's Will and diary. Pelham is the murderer; he is in this house now--hunted down." "Hark!" cried Blanche, clinging to him. "There is some one else in the house. That is a woman's scream!" It was a scream of terrible anguish, uttered by a woman in a moment of supreme despair. Every face turned white as that awful cry floated from the burning building. [Decoration] CHAPTER XLV. RETRIBUTION. When Frederick Holdfast turned the key in the lock, Pelham raised his head, and looked in alarm at Mrs. Holdfast. She, also, hearing the sound, slightly raised herself from the bed upon which she was reclining and looked into Pelham's face. Dazed with fear, they remained thus, transfixed, gazing at each other, and did not speak for full a minute. Then Pelham, with his finger on his lips, looked upward to the ceiling, in the supposition that the sound had proceeded from above. For full another minute neither of them moved. "Did you hear anything?" asked Pelham, in a whisper. "Speak low." "Yes," she replied, trembling with fear. "What do you think it was?" "God knows," said the terrified woman. "You told me no person was in the house." "Nor has there been," he said, "nor is there, I believe. But there may be rats. We will give up the house to them. What are you staring at, you fool?" he cried, turning swiftly round. "I thought I saw a shadow moving behind you," she whispered. "There's nothing here."