“Oughtn’t we to be doing something about the fire?” said Major Boventry.

“I was going to suggest something of the sort myself,” said the Canon stiffly.

“Tomorrow may be too late, as the advertisements in the newspapers say,” observed Lucien.

In the hall they met their hostess, Mrs. Gramplain.

“I’m so glad you have come,” she said; “servants are so little help in an emergency of this kind. My husband has gone off in the car to summon the fire-brigade.”

“Haven’t you telephoned to them?” asked the Major.