I turn’d the lantern on the coffin, which lay face downward, and with a gasp took in the game those precious rogues had been playing. For, with the fall of it, the boards (being but thin) were burst clean asunder; and on both sides had tumbled out silver cups, silver saltcellars, silver plates and dishes, that in the lantern’s rays sparkled prettily on the turf. The coffin, in short, was stuff’d with Delia’s silverware. I had pick’d up a great flagon, and was turning it over to read the inscription, when Matt. Soames call’d to me, and pointed over the hill in front. Above it the whole sky was red and glowing. “Sure,” said he, “’tis a fire out yonder!” “God help us, Matt.—’tis the House of Gleys!” It took but two minutes to toss the silver back into the hearse. I clapp’d-to the door, and snatching the reins, sprang upon the driver’s seat. CHAPTER XX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE LEDGE; AND HOW I SHOOK HANDS WITH MY COMRADE. We had some ado to find the gate: but no sooner were through, and upon the high road, than I lash’d the horses up the hill at a gallop. To guide us between the dark hedges we had only our lantern and the glare ahead. The dishes and cups clash’d and rattled as the hearse bump’d in the ruts, swaying wildly: a dozen times Matt, was near being pitch’d clean out of his seat. With my legs planted firm, I flogg’d away like a madman; and like mad creatures the horses tore upward. On the summit a glance show’d us all—the wild crimson’d sky—the sea running with lines of fire—and against it the inky headland whereon the House of Gleys flar’d like a beacon. Already from one wing—_our_ wing—a leaping column of flame whirl’d up through the roof, and was swept seaward in smoke and sparks. I mark’d the coast line, the cliff tracks, the masts and hull of the _Godsend_ standing out, clear as day; and nearer, the yellow light flickering over the fields of young corn. We saw all this, and then were plunging down hill, with the blaze full ahead of us. The heavy reek of it was flung in our nostrils as we gallop’d. At the bottom we caught up a group of men running. ’Twas a boatload come from the ship to help. As our horses swept past them, one or two came to a terrified halt; but presently were running hard again after us. The great gate stood open. I drove straight into the bright-lit yard, shouting “Delia!—where is Delia?” “Here!” call’d a voice; and from a group that stood under the glare of the window came my dear mistress running. “All safe, Jack! But what—” She drew back from our strange equipage. “All in good time. First tell me—how came the fire?” “Why, foul work, as it seems. All I know is I was sleeping, and awoke to hear the black seaman hammering on my door. Jumping up, I found the room full of smoke, and escap’d. The rooms beneath, they say, were stuff’d with straw, and the yard outside heap’d also with straw, and blazing. Ben Halliday found two oil jars lying there—” “Are the horses out?”