"Out of London, but not abroad. But not yet. If all of us left suddenly, the insurance company might get scent of a mystery, especially if Céline says anything about old Martin to the police." "But what of Marigold? Has she any suspicion that Durrant is on the sea?" "None. Durrant telegraphed to her to urge her to be patient and that he will return. So she’s waiting—and she’ll wait a long time! "Ah! really, Bernie, you are wonderful. That was a glorious idea of yours—those telegrams." "Yes. They’ve worked well," he said. "Both the girl and his sister, as well as the fellow’s employers, have all been reassured." "But the girl is a menace, I repeat," the woman declared, "and as such you must see that her activity comes to an end. There are a dozen ways in which you can manage it. Adopt one of them, and lose no time about it," she urged. "Yes," he said in a hard voice, "I ought to have taken your advice long ago." "Well, take it now," she said. "There are enemies around us—Céline, Galtier, and this girl Ramsay. So be careful. We are in very serious peril!" "True. How serious we have yet to learn. But let’s remain cool and we shall most certainly win." Almost as he spoke, however, the electric bell at the front door rang, causing them both to start. "Whoever can it be at this hour?" gasped Lilla, jumping to her feet. "Wait!" said Boyne, in a changed voice. "I’ll go down and see." He did so. Lilla stood breathless, listening. She heard him unbolt the door and open it. Then she heard him give vent to a loud cry, half of surprise, half of terror, as a man’s deep voice spoke. *CHAPTER XXV* *THE RECLUSE* The commotion caused in Bridge Place by the fire at Mr. Boyne’s was not of long duration. Ere the fire brigade arrived, however, so swift was the fire that the two top floors were gutted, thus destroying the secret of that locked chamber. A woman who lived a few doors off, and who knew Mrs. Felmore, gave the deaf old woman and her niece shelter, and while the police kept back the crowd at both ends of the street the four engines which had arrived were soon pumping water upon the roaring flames. The house was an old one with much woodwork, therefore it burned like tinder, and Marigold had certainly only escaped with her life. The superintendent in charge of the firemen had already ascertained that no person remained within, and the men in their shining helmets, their figures illuminated by the glare from the flames, were clambering across the neighbouring roofs with their hose-pipes. Soon the flames were got under by the powerful rush of water, but not before the roof had fallen in, and only the ground floor remained intact, while the houses on either side were badly damaged. Every now and then, when a beam fell, or a portion of wall collapsed, showers of sparks shot upward, and there was a burst of flames through the smoke.