Summink to do wiv flames it were--Frozen Flames or icicles or
frost of some kind. But 'e was so full up of mystery that there weren't
no gettin' nuffin out er' im. Any one 'ere tell me the story? 'E fair got
me curiosity fired, 'e did!"
A glance laden with sinister meaning flew around the table. Borkins
cleared his throat as every eye fastened itself upon him, and he swelled
visibly beneath his brass-buttoned waistcoat.
"If you're any wiser than you look, young man, you'll leave well alone,
and not go stickin' your fingers in other peoples' pie!" he gave out
sententiously. "Yes, there is a story--and a very unpleasant one, too.
If you use your eyes to-night and look out of the smoking-room window as
dusk comes on, you'll see the Frozen Flame for yerself, and won't want to
be arskin' me any fool questions about it. One of the servants 'ere--and
a rude, unmannerly London creetur 'e was too!--disappeared a while ago,
goin' out across the Fens after night-time when 'e was warned not to.
Never seen a sight of 'im since--though I'm not mournin' any, as you kin
see!"
"_Go on!_" Dollops' voice expressed incredulity, amazement, and an awed
interest that rather flattered the butler.
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