Thomas could see torchlight on either side of the building, but none of it was close. “The library.”
“What?”
“It’s the closest, and we can hide in there until they’re done searching.”
“How do you know they won’t search in there?” whispered George.
“No one’s allowed inside with a flame,” Henry whispered back. “King’s orders.”
“And if they decide not to listen to the king?”
“They have to,” said Benjamin. “The whole place is filled with dry paper. One spark and it will go up. And if that happens, there will be a riot.”
“Pity there isn’t one now,” muttered Henry.
“We’ve got to go,” said Thomas. He grabbed Eileen’s hand. The torchlight was still distant, the ground between them and the library shrouded in darkness. “Run!”
They ran.
Thomas risked a look around them as soon as they were
