“Do as you will, good friend, your knowledge is greater than mine,” answered James Harmer with cheerful alacrity; “Heaven forbid that I should value my goods beyond the life and property and salvation of the many in this time of threatened peril.”

“We shall save the goods first.  It is only the sheds and workshops that must go,” answered the Master Builder cheerily, and forthwith he and his men, who had come hurrying up, together with all the men and boys in the double Harmer household, commenced carrying within shop and houses all the valuables stored in the smaller buildings hard by.  It was a work quickly accomplished, and whilst it was being carried out, the Master Builder himself was carefully making preparations for the demolition of the empty house opposite, which indeed was already in some danger of falling into decay, and was empty and desolate.

It had been the abode of the unfortunate man who brought his family back too soon to the city, and lost them all of the plague within a short time.  He himself had lingered on for some months, and had then died of a broken heart.  But nobody had cared to live in the house since.  It was averred that it was haunted by the restless spirit of the poor man, and strange noises were said to issue from it at night.  Others declared that the ghost of the wife was seen flitting past the windows, and that she always carried a sick moaning child in her arms.  So ill a name had the house got by reason of these many stories that none would take it, and there was therefore none to interfere when, with a loud report and showers of dust and sparks, the whole place and the workshop at the side were blown up at the command of the Master Builder, and reduced to a pile of ruins.

In spite of all the excitement and fear caused by the spreading fire, the neighbours looked upon the Master Builder as an enthusiast and a madman, and upon James Harmer as a poor dupe, to allow such destruction of property.  No sooner were both sets of buildings destroyed than men were set to work with buckets and chains to drench the dusty heaps of the ruins with water, nor would the Master Builder permit the workers to slacken their efforts until the whole mass of demolished ruin was reduced to the condition of a soppy pulp.

By this time the day had broken; but the sun was partially obscured by the thick pall of smoke which hung in the air, whilst the ceaseless roar of the flames was becoming terrible in its monotony.  Backwards and forwards ran excited men and boys, always bringing fresh reports as to the alarming spread of the fire.  Even upon the bridge the heat could plainly be felt.  The workers who were called within doors to be refreshed by food and drink were almost too anxious to eat.  Never had such a fire been seen before.

Whilst the Master Builder and his friend were snatching a hasty meal, Reuben came hurrying back with a smoke-blackened face.  He too showed signs of grave anxiety.