There had, it seemed, been no intention of
lighting it until nightfall; but it had accidentally caught fire through
the carelessness of a workman, much about the time when Hanky began to
preach. No one for a moment believed that there had been any sinister
intention, or that Professor Hanky when he urged the crowd to burn my
father alive, even knew that there was a pile of wood in the square at
all--much less that it had been lighted--for he could hardly have
supposed that the wood had been got together so soon. Nevertheless both
George and my father, when they knew all that had passed, congratulated
themselves on the fact that my father had not fallen into the hands of
the vergers, who would probably have tried to utilise the accidental
fire, though in no case is it likely they would have succeeded.
As soon as they were inside the gaol, the old Master recognised my
father. "Bless my heart--what? You here, again, Mr. Higgs? Why, I
thought you were in the palace of the sun your father."
"I wish I was," answered my father, shaking hands with him, but he could
say no more.
"You are as safe here as if you were," said George laughing, "and safer."
Then turning to his grandfather, he said, "You have the record of Mr.
Higgs's marks and measurements? I know you have: take him to his old
cell; it is the best in the prison; and then please bring me the record.
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