It was no great distance, but, in spite of his speed, it seemed to be long that night; and, as Vane ran, looking eagerly the while for the glow from the fire, he came to the conclusion that the brilliancy of the moon was sufficient to render it invisible, and that perhaps the blaze was yet only small.
“Hi! Who’s that?” cried a voice, whose owner was invisible in the shadow cast by a clump of trees.
“I—Vane Lee. Is the rectory on fire, Distin?”
“I’ve just come out of it, and didn’t see any flames,” said the youth contemptuously.
“Here, hi! Distie!” came from the side-road leading to the rectory grounds. “Wait for us. Who’s that? Oh, you, Vane. What’s the matter?”
“I don’t know,” replied Vane. “I jumped out of bed when I heard the alarm bell.”
“So did we, and here’s Aleck got his trousers on wrong way first.”
“I haven’t,” shouted Macey; “but that’s my hat you’ve got.”
As he spoke, he snatched the hat Gilmore was wearing, and tossed the one he held toward his companion.
“Are you fellows coming?” said Distin, coldly.