"And my rabbit-burrows," put in the Earl.
"And you must see my pony too, you know," added the Honorable Ralph.
This last inducement was not to be resisted, so I hurried out into the back yard after my hosts, wondering why the chaps with the biggest titles should have only dogs and rabbits to show, while the fellow who was merely an Honorable rejoiced in the possession of a pony.
The kennel and burrows were duly inspected and admired, and we were crossing the yard to visit the stables, when the Earl suddenly stopped, struck one hand against his forehead, and with the other pointed to the chimney over the dining-room, out of which smoke was ascending.
"The sweep!" cried the Duke, staggering back against the barn door, which banged to with a crash.
"He'll be roasted alive! Quick!" exclaimed the Honorable, and then they all three started on a run for the house.
I followed as fast as I could, but not knowing the ins and outs of the yard as well, I completely lost sight of them before I reached the back door. However, I remembered where the dining-room was, and dashing in, found nobody there but the maid, who was blowing the already fiercely crackling fire into a brighter blaze.
Not stopping to wonder why the others were not there, I rushed up to her, and snatched the bellows out of her hands so suddenly that she immediately set up a cry of "Murder!" while I began to shout "Fire!" at the top of my voice, expecting every instant to see the charred body of the sweep come tumbling out of the chimney at my feet.
Before I could explain to the girl the awfulness of the deed she had done, the landlady, the butler, the rest of the servants, and all the lady boarders had crowded into the room, and as the maid was too frightened to say anything except that one word, they all began to stare at me as if I were a burglar.
But all my thoughts were with that poor sweep roasting alive in the chimney, and rushing up to the landlady, I entreated her to have the fire put out, and— But at that moment I saw looking in at the window the faces of my three noble friends, all distorted with suppressed laughter, while directly behind them stood the sweep himself, grinning from ear to ear.