Theodore Goodridge Roberts

“ Looks as if he'd been yanked back and out, just in the nick of time—the oil ready poured and the burning bark in his hand. There's no mistaking his touch, the old sinner! A coward even when insane and delirious—trying to burn humans and cattle in their sleep! By God, I prefer the kind of murderer who has courage to pull a trigger! ”

“ Soon after that, Stack Glashner harnessed the dependable pair, hitched them to a dependable wagon and drove off toward the settlement, without so much as by-your-leave to Tom or me. The day grew and brightened. Within the old walls of stone the fire continued to roar and crack. We drove the livestock back to their stalls and pens—with the exception of one pig that could not be found just then. Every now and again a stone would explode with a loud report and a piece of wall would fall into the fiery pit; and Tom would turn from whatever he was doing and gaze at the wreck with smouldering eyes. ”

“ Half a mile is a long way to see an object in the dark, unless that object happens, to be illuminated, as in this case. The old mansion of Moosemeadows Park was illuminated. Lights shone at the windows, and above some of the windows—wavering lights, swelling and dwindling and swelling again. ”