"But, Harry, why didn't he light it when he'd done it?" said Mrs.
Heathcote.

"Because the Almighty sent the rain at the very moment," said Harry,
striking the top rail of one of the pens with his fist. "I'm not much
given to talk about Providence, but this looks like it, does it not?"

"He might have put a match in at the moment?"

"Rain or no rain? Yes, he might. But he was interrupted by more than
the rain. I got into the shed myself just at the moment--I and Jacko.
It was last night, when the rain was pouring. I heard the man, and
dark as was the night, I saw his figure as he fled away."

"You didn't know him?" said Miss Daly.

"But that boy, who has the eyes of a cat, he knew him."

"Jacko?"

"Jacko knew him by his gait. I should have hardly wanted any one to
tell me who it was. I could have named the man at once, but for the
fear of doing an injustice."

"And who was it?"

"Our friend Medlicot's prime favorite and new factotum, Mr. William
Nokes. Mr. William Stokes is the gentleman who intends to burn us all
out of house and home, and Mr. Medlicot is the gentleman whose