“Ah, M. Marcel, we could not prevent him entering.”
“Entering where?”
“Into the managing department, with M. Cardez and your servant. They wanted to find the account books, etc.”
“But the managing department is on fire!” shrieked the young man, in despair. “If you could not prevent them going, you might at least have accompanied them.”
A crash was now heard coming from the burning building. Millions of sparks shot forth into the air, and a black dust filled the sky. It was the roof of the stores, which had fallen in.
“How can we reach them now?” said the overseer, anxiously. “They are caught between the weaving department and the stores. The fire is all over the place now.”
“By the roof.”
The workman shook his head discouragingly.
“Who will dare to go?”
“I will!”