Theodore Goodridge Roberts

“ Who wouldn't scream at the sight of a man losing his scalp?
His hand had flashed to his head, and in an instant his forehead and hair had resumed their normal appearance and position. Then, realizing that he was disguised, she had sprung back from him. But he had gripped her wrist in fingers like iron before she could turn and run. He had made her swear, by all that was holy, never to tell a soul what she had seen. She had warned me. After Stack and I had departed for Moosemeadows, and Jacques had gone to bed, she had broken her oaths and told her father. ”

“ The flames stood up like spires and the sparks scraped the stars. We feared for the barns, so opened all the stables and pens and chased forth the livestock. Soon after that, the first of the neighbors from the settlement arrived, driving furiously. The Jeanbards told him what they knew about it. They had gone to bed in the house, had sensed being carried or dragged, had glimpsed a horror of heat and flame and, upon recovering full consciousness, had found themselves lying on the grass. They were full of gratitude. The neighbor glanced keenly from Tom to me, and back again, without a word. ”

“ Sparks flew up from the dry shingles; and I heard muffled barks from the little dog in answer to my shouts. A pane of glass broke with a tinkle and let out a squirt of smoke. There was fire within as well as without. ”