'I suppose he means that the granaries are on fire, and that they've set the trees alight,' explained Mr Howroyd, whose face was very white and set, but with a different look of determination from his brother's.
They were in the park now.
'Turn off to the right, Tom,' said his master.
'Take the women-folk to the house first, Mark,' pleaded his brother.
'To the fire, Tom. I'll catch the rascals red-handed!' roared Mr Clay.
'Don't get out; go on in the car,' said Mr Howroyd to his niece in an undertone; but his advice fell on deaf ears.
Sarah was excited enough now, for they had turned a sharp corner at an angle, which made Mrs Clay give a sharp cry, and there in front of them were the blazing remains of two huge barns and some charred trunks of trees, while others were still burning.
In the roar and crackle of the flames and the crash of falling timber, the approach of the motor had not been heard by the excited and interested crowd who were watching the progress of the flames.
'Watching! Not one of them raising a hand to stop it!' muttered Mr Howroyd between his teeth.
Mrs Clay clasped her hands in despair.