Huddlestone’swascertainlynoordinarycharacter；hehadreadandobservedforhimself；hisgiftsweresound；and，thoughIcouldneverhavelearnedtolovetheman，Ibegantounderstandhissuccessinbusiness，andthegreatrespectinwhichhehadbeenheldbeforehisfailure。Hehad，aboveall，thetalentofsociety；
andthoughIneverheardhimspeakbutonthisoneandmostunfavorableoccasion，IsethimdownamongthemostbrilliantconversationalistsIevermet。
Hewasrelatingwithgreatgusto，andseeminglynofeelingofshame，themaneuversofascoundrellycommissionmerchantwhomhehadknownandstudiedinhisyouth，andwewerealllisteningwithanoddmixtureofmirthandembarrassment，whenourlittlepartywasbroughtabruptlytoanendinthemoststartlingmanner。
AnoiselikethatofawetfingeronthewindowpaneinterruptedMr。Huddlestone’stale；andinaninstantwewereallfouraswhiteaspaper，andsattongue-tiedandmotionlessroundthetable。
“Asnail，“Isaidatlast；forIhadheardthattheseanimalsmakeanoisesomewhatsimilarincharacter。
“Snailbed——d！“saidNorthmour。“Hush！“
Thesamesoundwasrepeatedtwiceatregularintervals；andthenaformidablevoiceshoutedthroughtheshutterstheItalianword，“Traditore！“
Mr。Huddlestonethrewhisheadintheair；hiseyelidsquivered；
nextmomenthefellinsensiblebelowthetable。NorthmourandI
hadeachruntothearmoryandseizedagun。Clarawasonherfeetwithherhandatherthroat。
Sowestoodwaiting，forwethoughtthehourofattackwascertainlycome；butsecondpassedaftersecond，andallbutthesurfremainedsilentintheneighborhoodofthepavilion。
“Quick，“saidNorthmour；“upstairswithhimbeforetheycome。“
Somehoworother，byhookandcrook，andbetweenthethreeofus，wegotBernardHuddlestonebundledupstairsandlaiduponthebedinMyUncle’sRoom。Duringthewholeprocess，whichwasroughenough，hegavenosignofconsciousness，andheremained，aswehadthrownhim，withoutchangingthepositionofafinger。Hisdaughteropenedhisshirtandbegantowethisheadandbosom；
whileNorthmourandIrantothewindow。Theweathercontinuedclear；themoon，whichwasnowaboutfull，hadrisenandshedaveryclearlightuponthelinks；yet，strainoureyesaswemight，wecoulddistinguishnothingmoving。Afewdarkspots，moreorless，ontheunevenexpansewerenottobeidentified；theymightbecrouchingmen，theymightbeshadows；itwasimpossibletobesure。
“ThankGod，“saidNorthmour，“Aggieisnotcomingto-night。“
Aggiewasthenameoftheoldnurse；hehadnotthoughtofheruntilnow；butthatheshouldthinkofheratallwasatraitthatsurprisedmeintheman。
Wewereagainreducedtowaiting。Northmourwenttothefireplaceandspreadhishandsbeforetheredembers，asifhewerecold。I
followedhimmechanicallywithmyeyes，andinsodoingturnedmybackuponthewindow。Atthatmomentaveryfaintreportwasaudiblefromwithout，andaballshiveredapaneofglass，andburieditselfintheshuttertwoinchesfrommyhead。IheardClarascream；andthoughIwhippedinstantlyoutofrangeandintoacorner，shewasthere，sotospeak，beforeme，beseechingtoknowifIwerehurt。IfeltthatIcouldstandtobeshotateverydayandalldaylong，withsuchremarksofsolicitudeforareward；andIcontinuedtoreassureher，withthetenderestcaressesandincompleteforgetfulnessofoursituation，tillthevoiceofNorthmourrecalledmetomyself。
“Anairgun，“hesaid。“Theywishtomakenonoise。“
IputClaraaside，andlookedathim。Hewasstandingwithhisbacktothefireandhishandsclaspedbehindhim；andIknewbytheblacklookonhisface，thatpassionwasboilingwithin。Ihadseenjustsuchalookbeforeheattackedme，thatMarchnight，intheadjoiningchamber；and，thoughIcouldmakeeveryallowanceforhisanger，IconfessItrembledfortheconsequences。Hegazedstraightbeforehim；buthecouldseeuswiththetailofhiseye，andhistemperkeptrisinglikeagaleofwind。Withregularbattleawaitingusoutside，thisprospectofaninternecinestrifewithinthewallsbegantodauntme。
Suddenly，asIwasthuscloselywatchinghisexpressionandpreparedagainsttheworst，Isawachange，aflash，alookofrelief，uponhisface。Hetookupthelampwhichstoodbesidehimonthetable，andturnedtouswithanairofsomeexcitement。
“Thereisonepointthatwemustknow，“saidhe。“Aretheygoingtobutcherthelotofus，oronlyHuddlestone？Didtheytakeyouforhim，orfireatyouforyourownbeauxyeux？“
“Theytookmeforhim，forcertain，“Ireplied。“Iamnearastall，andmyheadisfair。“
“Iamgoingtomakesure，“returnedNorthmour；andhesteppeduptothewindow，holdingthelampabovehishead，andstoodthere，quietlyaffrontingdeath，forhalfaminute。
Clarasoughttorushforwardandpullhimfromtheplaceofdanger；
butIhadthepardonableselfishnesstoholdherbackbyforce。
“Yes，“saidNorthmour，turningcoollyfromthewindow，“it’sonlyHuddlestonetheywant。“
“Oh，Mr。Northmour！“criedClara；butfoundnomoretoadd；thetemerityshehadjustwitnessedseemingbeyondthereachofwords。
He，onhispart，lookedatme，cockinghishead，withafireoftriumphinhiseyes；andIunderstoodatoncethathehadthushazardedhislife，merelytoattractClara’snotice，anddeposemefrommypositionastheheroofthehour。Hesnappedhisfingers。
“Thefireisonlybeginning，“saidhe。“Whentheywarmuptotheirwork，theywon’tbesoparticular。“
Avoicewasnowheardhailingusfromtheentrance。Fromthewindowwecouldseethefigureofamaninthemoonlight；hestoodmotionless，hisfaceupliftedtoours，andaragofsomethingwhiteonhisextendedarm；andaswelookedrightdownuponhim，thoughhewasagoodmanyyardsdistantonthelinks，wecouldseethemoonlightglitteronhiseyes。
Heopenedhislipsagain，andspokeforsomeminutesonend，inakeysoloudthathemighthavebeenheardineverycornerofthepavilion，andasfarawayasthebordersofthewood。Itwasthesamevoicethathadalreadyshouted，“Traditore！“throughtheshuttersofthedining-room；thistimeitmadeacompleteandclearstatement。Ifthetraitor“Oddlestone“weregivenup，allothersshouldbespared；ifnot，nooneshouldescapetotellthetale。
“Well，Huddlestone，whatdoyousaytothat？“askedNorthmour，turningtothebed。
Uptothatmomentthebankerhadgivennosignoflife，andI，atleast，hadsupposedhimtobestilllyinginafaint；butherepliedatonce，andinsuchtonesasIhaveneverheardelsewhere，savefromadeliriouspatient，adjuredandbesoughtusnottodeserthim。Itwasthemosthideousandabjectperformancethatmyimaginationcanconceive。
“Enough，“criedNorthmour；andthenhethrewopenthewindow，leanedoutintothenight，andinatoneofexultation，andwithatotalforgetfulnessofwhatwasduetothepresenceofalady，pouredoutupontheambassadorastringofthemostabominableraillerybothinEnglishandItalian，andbadehimbegonewherehehadcomefrom。IbelievethatnothingsodelightedNorthmouratthatmomentasthethoughtthatwemustallinfalliblyperishbeforethenightwasout。
Meantime，theItalianputhisflagoftruceintohispocket，anddisappeared，ataleisurelypace，amongthesandhills。
“Theymakehonorablewar，“saidNorthmour。“Theyareallgentlemenandsoldiers。Forthecreditofthething，Iwishwecouldchangesides——youandI，Frank，andyou，too，missy，mydarling——andleavethatbeingonthebedtosomeoneelse。Tut！Don’tlookshocked！
Weareallgoingposttowhattheycalleternity，andmayaswellbeaboveboardwhilethere’stime。AsfarasIamconcerned，ifI
couldfirststrangleHuddlestoneandthengetClarainmyarms，I
coulddiewithsomeprideandsatisfaction。Andasitis，byGod，I’llhaveakiss！“
BeforeIcoulddoanythingtointerfere，hehadrudelyembracedandrepeatedlykissedtheresistinggirl。NextmomentIhadpulledhimawaywithfury，andflunghimheavilyagainstthewall。Helaughedloudandlong，andIfearedhiswitshadgivenwayunderthestrain；foreveninthebestofdayshehadbeenasparingandaquietlaugher。
“Now，Frank，“saidhe，whenhismirthwassomewhatappeased，“it’syourturn。Here’smyhand。Good-bye，farewell！“Then，seeingmestandrigidandindignant，andholdingClaratomyside——“Man！“hebrokeout，“areyouangry？Didyouthinkweweregoingtodiewithalltheairsandgracesofsociety？Itookakiss；I’mgladIdidit；andnowyoucantakeanotherifyoulike，andsquareaccounts。“
IturnedfromhimwithafeelingofcontemptwhichIdidnotseektodissemble。
“Asyouplease，“saidhe。“You’vebeenapriginlife；aprigyou’lldie。“
Andwiththathesatdowninachair，arifleoverhisknee，andamusedhimselfwithsnappingthelock；butIcouldseethathisebullitionoflightspiritstheonlyoneIeverknewhimtodisplayhadalreadycometoanend，andwassucceededbyasullen，scowlinghumor。
Allthistimeourassailantsmighthavebeenenteringthehouse，andwebeennonethewiser；wehadintruthalmostforgottenthedangerthatsoimminentlyoverhungourdays。ButjustthenMr。
Huddlestoneutteredacry，andleapedfromthebed。
Iaskedhimwhatwaswrong。
“Fire！“hecried。“Theyhavesetthehouseonfire！“
Northmourwasonhisfeetinaninstant，andheandIranthroughthedoorofcommunicationwiththestudy。Theroomwasilluminatedbyaredandangrylight。Almostatthemomentofourentrance，atowerofflamearoseinfrontofthewindow，and，withatinglingreport，apanefellinwardonthecarpet。Theyhadsetfiretothelean-toouthouse，whereNorthmourusedtonursehisnegatives。
“Hotwork，“saidNorthmour。“Letustryinyouroldroom。“
Weranthitherinabreath，threwupthecasement，andlookedforth。Alongthewholebackwallofthepavilionpilesoffuelhadbeenarrangedandkindled；anditisprobabletheyhadbeendrenchedwithmineraloil，for，inspiteofthemorning’srain，theyallburnedbravely。Thefirehadtakenafirmholdalreadyontheouthouse，whichblazedhigherandhighereverymoment；thebackdoorwasinthecenterofared-hotbonfire；theeaveswecouldsee，aswelookedupward，werealreadysmoldering，fortheroofoverhung，andwassupportedbyconsiderablebeamsofwood。Atthesametime，hot，pungent，andchokingvolumesofsmokebegantofillthehouse。Therewasnotahumanbeingtobeseentorightorleft。
“Ah，well！“saidNorthmour，“here’stheend，thankGod！“
AndwereturnedtoMyUncle’sRoom。Mr。Huddlestonewasputtingonhisboots，stillviolentlytrembling，butwithanairofdeterminationsuchasIhadnothithertoobserved。Clarastoodclosebyhim，withhercloakinbothhandsreadytothrowabouthershoulders，andastrangelookinhereyes，asifshewerehalfhopeful，halfdoubtfulofherfather。
“Well，boysandgirls，“saidNorthmour，“howaboutasally？Theovenisheating；itisnotgoodtostayhereandbebaked；and，formypart，Iwanttocometomyhandswiththem，andbedone。“
“There’snothingelseleft，“Ireplied。
AndbothClaraandMr。Huddlestone，thoughwithaverydifferentintonation，added，“Nothing。“
Aswewentdownstairstheheatwasexcessive，andtheroaringofthefirefilledourears；andwehadscarcereachedthepassagebeforethestairswindowfellin，abranchofflameshotbrandishingthroughtheaperture，andtheinteriorofthepavilionbecamelightedupwiththatdreadfulandfluctuatingglare。Atthesamemomentweheardthefallofsomethingheavyandinelasticintheupperstory。Thewholepavilion，itwasplain，hadgonealightlikeaboxofmatches，andnownotonlyflamedskyhightolandandsea，butthreatenedwitheverymomenttocrumbleandfallinaboutourears。
NorthmourandIcockedourrevolvers。Mr。Huddlestone，whohadalreadyrefusedafirearm，putusbehindhimwithamannerofcommand。
“LetClaraopenthedoor，“saidhe。“So，iftheyfireavolley，shewillbeprotected。Andinthemeantimestandbehindme。Iamthescapegoat；mysinshavefoundmeout。“
Iheardhim，asIstoodbreathlessbyhisshoulder，withmypistolready，patteringoffprayersinatremulous，rapidwhisper；and，I
confess，horridasthethoughtmayseem，Idespisedhimforthinkingofsupplicationsinamomentsocriticalandthrilling。
Inthemeantime，Clara，whowasdeadwhitebutstillpossessedherfaculties，haddisplacedthebarricadefromthefrontdoor。
Anothermoment，andshehadpulleditopen。Firelightandmoonlightilluminatedthelinkswithconfusedandchangefulluster，andfarawayagainsttheskywecouldseealongtrailofglowingsmoke。
Mr。Huddlestone，filledforthemomentwithastrengthgreaterthanhisown，struckNorthmourandmyselfaback-handerinthechest；
andwhilewewerethusforthemomentincapacitatedfromaction，liftinghisarmsabovehisheadlikeoneabouttodive，heranstraightforwardoutofthepavilion。
“HereamI！“hecried——“Huddlestone！Killme，andsparetheothers！“
Hissuddenappearancedaunted，Isuppose，ourhiddenenemies；forNorthmourandIhadtimetorecover，toseizeClarabetweenus，onebyeacharm，andtorushforthtohisassistance，ereanythingfurtherhadtakenplace。Butscarcehadwepassedthethresholdwhentherecamenearadozenreportsandflashesfromeverydirectionamongthehollowsofthelinks。Mr。Huddlestonestaggered，utteredaweirdandfreezingcry，threwuphisarmsoverhishead，andfellbackwardontheturf。
“Traditore！Traditore！“criedtheinvisibleavengers。
Andjustthenapartoftheroofofthepavilionfellin，sorapidwastheprogressofthefire。Aloud，vague，andhorriblenoiseaccompaniedthecollapse，andavastvolumeofflamewentsoaringuptoheaven。Itmusthavebeenvisibleatthatmomentfromtwentymilesoutatsea，fromtheshoreatGradenWester，andfarinlandfromthepeakofGraystiel，themosteasternsummitoftheCaulderHills。BernardHuddlestone，althoughGodknowswhatwerehisobsequies，hadafinepyreatthemomentofhisdeath。