She did not see the lithe form that dropped from the hayloft to the ground.
She did not note the nimble-footed girl who avoided the fire and sprang from the hut.
Belle Demona went back to the house, with the flames of the burning shed seeking the vault of heaven.
She looked back once from the porch, and saw the roof fall in with a shower of sparks.
"It is over and the nest is destroyed! Pray Heaven the viper was in it!"
"What have you done?" said a voice behind her.
She turned and saw Merle.
"I've fired the sheds and killed the viper of Melbourne!" was the reply. "Now no one remains but Riggs, the detective. Finish him, and the secret is forever safe."
She went over to the piano and began to play a wild and merry tune.