The Great Fire Read Free

front of the house.
    Sam heard chanting: “Frogs out! Frogs out! Frogs out!”
    He felt afraid. But he was part of this family now. If they were Frogs, then so was he. He’d fight with them.
    He and André ran to help Thérèse and Mistress Giraud, who were racing around,closing and barring every door and window.
    â€œMarie! Anne! Upstairs! Thérèse – go with them! Now!” shouted Mistress Giraud. She and her husband began hauling a large wooden chest across the front entrance, which led into their shop.
    Heavy blows battered the door.
    â€œCome out, Frenchman! Out! Out!”
    With each “out!” the door shuddered.
    Paul Giraud shouted, “Sam! Take the necklace! Hide it under your clothes!”
    Sam was surprised.
Why me?
he thought. But he ran to the workshop and grabbed the little casket.

    André could not move as fast as Sam. He hobbled in behind him, furious. “
I
should hide it! Give it to me!”
    Paul Giraud burst in, breathless.
    â€œThe door is blocked, but we don’t have long,” he gasped. “Sam, hide it, quickly!”
    â€œBut why – ?” began André.
    His father took hold of André by the shoulders and said earnestly, “André, it’s safer with Sam. Listen, we must not lose the necklace. It must be taken to Master Harrington now, or these thugs will steal it. Can I trust you to deliver it?”
    Sam saw André’s eyes light up.
    â€œYes! Of course!”
    â€œTake Sam with you – “
    Sam nodded eagerly, but André shook his head. “I don’t need him!”
    â€œTwo will be safer,” his father insisted. “
You
must deliver it, as my son and representative. But let Sam carry the casket. He’s less likely to be attacked and robbed.” He looked anxious for a moment. “Take the dog, too. You know the house, in Lothbury? The one with the lion carving?”
    â€œYes.”
    â€œGo out through the yard, and along the backs of the houses and up past Goldsmiths’ Hall. Then straight along to Lothbury.”
    â€œI know the way!” André was impatient to be gone.
    The banging from the blocked door was growing louder and louder.
    â€œStay together,” his father said urgently. “It’s no distance, and well away from the fire. Deliver the casket and come straight back.”

    Both boys nodded.
    A crash, followed by screams and yells, told them that the door had been forced open.
    Paul Giraud sprang up.
    â€œGo now,” he whispered. “And remember – come straight home!”

4
Firefighters
    Sam and André took Budge and went out through the back gate. They hurried along the alley. From the street came shouts and sounds of fighting.
    â€œPapa will see them off,” said André fiercely. But Sam could tell he was anxious for his family.
    To Sam’s relief, no one took any notice of the two of them. The necklace was not heavy, but when he thought of its value – notonly the gold and diamonds, but Paul Giraud’s exquisite workmanship – it became a weight he wished he didn’t have to carry.
    He was glad when André said, “There it is!” and he saw, ahead of them, a grand house with a lion’s head carved above the door.
    They walked up to the entrance.
    André knocked and turned to Sam. “Give me the casket!” he commanded.
    I wasn’t going to keep it!
Sam thought indignantly. But he said nothing, and handed it over.
    â€œYou and Budge can wait outside,” said André, as the door opened.
    Sam moved away, but not before he’d seen that the grand hall of Master Harrington’s house was piled high with boxes, chests and crates.
Everyone is leaving the city
, he thought.
We’ll all be camping in the fields together soon – even Mistress Harrington in her beautiful necklace.
    â€œDid he like the necklace?” Sam asked, when André came out. He wished he could have