ment there was a sharp click, as of an iron hinge. Dick's
heart seemed to leap into his throat. Before he could swallow it, the
iron mace of the Crusader descended with stunning violence on his crown.

Well was it for the misguided man that morning that he happened to have
purchased a new and strong billycock the day before, else would that
mace have sent him--as it had sent many a Saracen of old--to his long
home. The blow effectually spoilt the billycock, however, and stretched
its owner insensible on the floor.

The other burglar was too close behind his comrade to permit of a second
blow being struck. The lively Crusader, however, sprang upon him, threw
his mailed arms round his neck, and held him fast.

And now began a combat of wondrous ferocity and rare conditions. The
combatants were unequally matched, for the man was huge and muscular,
while the youth was undeveloped and slender, but what the latter lacked
in brute force was counterbalanced by the weight of his armour, his
youthful agility, and his indomitable pluck. By a deft movement of his
legs he caused Bill to come down on his back, and fell upon him with all
his weight plus that of the Crusader. Annoyed at this, and desperately
anxious to escape before the house should be alarmed, Bill delivered a
roundabout blow with his practised fist that ought to have driven in the
skull of his opponent, but it only scarified the man's knuckles on the
Crusader's helmet. He tried another on the ribs, but the folds of
chain-mail rendered that abortive. Then the burglar essayed
strangulation, but there again the folds of mail foiled him. During
these unavailing efforts the unconscious Dick came in for a few
accidental raps and squeezes as he lay prone beside them.

Meanwhile, the Crusader adopted the plan of masterly inactivity, by
simply holding on tight and doing nothing. He did not shout for help,
because, being bull-doggish in his nature, he preferred to fight in
silent ferocity. Exasperated as well as worn by this method, Bill
became reckless, and made several wild plunges to regain his feet. He
did not succeed, but he managed to come against the pedestal of the
knight in mail with great violence. The iron warrior lost his balance,
toppled over, and came down on the combatants with a hideous crash,
suggestive of coal-scuttles and fire-irons.

Sleep, sermons, and draughts could no longer enchain! Mrs Stronghand
awoke, buried her startled head in th