n
the landing.

The figure turned quickly, and the rifle dropped with a crash to the
floor. For some time it stood as if petrified with horror, then with a
swift, stealthy movement reached the door. Here it turned sharply to
the left and ran into something small and soft. With a yell the
something turned. In a moment two forms were locked together. With a
thud they fell, and lay a writhing, wriggling mass at the top of the
stairs.

II

The foreman had no idea how long he had slept, or what it was that
awakened him; but suddenly he found himself wide awake with a feeling
that something was happening. The lamp had gone out, there was no
moon, and he felt cold, although he knew it to be July.

For a minute he listened intently. Not a sound broke the stillness,
save the rustle of the trees as the wind sighed through them. He went
to the window and looked out under the blind. It was quite dark. He
shook himself, then pinched his leg. Yes, he was awake.

Then he heard a creak overhead, and it suddenly came home to him that
the house was being burgled. A passionate anger seemed to grip hold of
him. Silently and swiftly he opened the door that Led into the hall.
He had not moved three steps before he was brought to a standstill by a
yell that echoed through the whole place. It was followed a moment
later by what appeared to be an avalanche descending the stairs. From
stair to stair it bumped through the darkness, and finally lay heaving
and grunting almost at his feet. There were muttered exclamations,
curses, threats, and the dull sound of blows.

The foreman sprang forward and clutched with his right hand a human
ear. Feeling about with his left hand, he secured a handful of hair.
Then he brought two heads together with a crack. The muttering and
movement ceased, and the foreman pantechnicon-man struck a match.

"Crikey!" The exclamation burst involuntarily from his lips. He
rummaged in his pockets and presently produced about two inches of
candle; this he lighted and held over the recumbent mass at his feet.

"Well, I'm--I'm blowed!" he stuttered, conscious of the inadequacy of
his words. There at his feet lay Mr. Greenhales and Sergeant Wrannock,
whom the foreman recognised only as two of the afternoon's visitors.
For fully two minutes he stood regarding his captives; then, with a
grin of delight, he blew out the candle, carefully opening the front
door.

There was nothing to be seen save