"The laundry, Miss Ives. And there's a sort of flat on the second floor where the laundry woman and her husband—he's the man that drives the 'bus—live."
"Good heavens!" said Ann. "I hope they got out!"
"Oh, sure," said the maid, comfortably. "It was all of an hour ago the fire started. They had lots of time."
The three watched for a while in silence. Ann's eyes began to droop from the bright monotony of the flames.
"I believe I'll wait until the tank falls, Ju? and then go back to my comfortable bed—Julie, what is it—!"
Her voice rose, keen with terror. The actress, her hand on her heart, shook her head without turning her eyes from the mill.
For suddenly above the other clamor there had risen one horrible scream, and now, following it, there was almost a silence.
"Why—what on earth—" panted Miss Ives, looking to Mrs. Arbuthnot for explanation after an endless interval in which neither stirred. But again they were interrupted, this time by such an outbreak of shouting and cries from the watching crowd about the mill as made the night fairly ring.
A moment later the entire top of the mill collapsed, sending a gush of sparks far up into the night. Then at last the faithfully played hoses began to gain control.
"Do run down and find out what the shouting was, Emma," said Julie. Emma gladly obeyed.