3. HALF-PAST ELEVEN TO TWELVE P.M.A hazardous length of time elapsed before the inmates of the
Three Tranters knew of their danger. When at length the discovery
was made, the rush was a rush for bare life.
A man's voice calling, then screams, then loud stamping and
shouts were heard.
Mr. Springrove ran out first. Two minutes later appeared the
ostler and chambermaid, who were man and wife. The inn, as has been
stated, was a quaint old building, and as inflammable as a
bee-hive; it overhung the base at the level of the first floor, and
again overhung at the eaves, which were finished with heavy oak
barge-boards; every atom in its substance, every feature in its
construction, favoured the fire.
The forked flames, lurid and smoky, became nearly lost to view,
bursting forth again
