stood ajar.  Hearing a noise in the yard, they darted up the back steps, communicating with the cellar, and discovered a man trying to make his escape over the wall by a rope-ladder.  Stephen instantly seized him, and the man, drawing a sword, tried to free himself from his captor.  In the struggle, he dropped a pistol, which Blaize snatching up, discharged with fatal effect against the wretch, who, on examination, proved to be Pillichody.

Efforts were made to check the fire, but in vain.  The villain had accomplished his diabolical purpose too well.  Acquainted with the premises, and with the habits of the family, he had got into the yard by means of a rope-ladder, and hiding himself till the servants were summoned to prayers, stole into the cellar, and placing a fire-ball amid a heap of fagots and coals, and near several large casks of oil, and other inflammable matters, struck a light, and set fire to it.

“I shall ever reproach myself that I was away when this calamity occurred,” observed Leonard, as the grocer brought his relation to an end.

“Then you will do so without reason,” replied Mr. Bloundel, “for you could have rendered no assistance, and you see my good neighbours have taken the matter entirely out of my hands.”

“Whither do you intend removing, sir?” rejoined Leonard.  “If I might suggest, I would advise you to go to Farmer Wingfield’s, at Kensal Green.”

“You have anticipated my intention,” replied the grocer; “but we must now obtain some vehicles to transport these goods thither.”

“Be that my part,” replied Leonard.  And in a short space of time he had procured half a dozen large carts, into which the whole of the goods were speedily packed, and a coach having been likewise fetched by Blaize, Mrs. Bloundel and the three younger children, together with old Josyna and Patience, were placed in it.

“I hope your mother has taken care of her money,” whispered the latter to the porter, as he assisted her into the vehicle.

“Never mind whether she has or not,” rejoined Blaize, in the same tone; “we shan’t want it.  I am now as rich as my master—­perhaps richer.  On stripping that rascal Pillichody, I found a large bag of gold, besides several caskets of jewels, upon him, all of which I consider lawful spoil, as he fell by my hand.”

“To be sure,” rejoined Patience.  “I dare say he did not come very honestly by the treasures, but you can’t help that, you know.”

Blaize made no reply, but pushing her into the coach, shut the door.  All being now in readiness, directions were given to the drivers of the carts whither to proceed, and they were put in motion.  At this moment the grocer’s firmness deserted him.  Gazing at the old habitation, which was now wrapped in a sheet of flame, he cried in a voice broken with emotion, “In that house I have dwelt nearly thirty years—­in that house all my children were born—­in that house I found a safe refuge from the devouring pestilence.  It is hard to quit it thus.”