not to state.

Apparently the stage-whisper in which this challenge to a possible
burglar was uttered rendered it unavailing, for there was no reply;
but that there was some one below who could reply Thaddeus was now
convinced, for there were sounds in the library--sounds, however,
suggestive of undue attention to domestic duties rather than of that
which fate has mapped out for house-breakers. The library floor was
apparently being swept.

"That's the biggest idiot of a burglar I've ever heard of," said
Thaddeus, returning to his room.

"Wh-wha-what, d-dud-dear?" mumbled Mrs. Perkins, burying her ear in
the pillow for comfort now that she was compelled to take her nose
away so that she might talk intelligibly.

"I say that burglar must be an idiot," repeated Thaddeus. "What do
you suppose he is doing now?"

"Wh-wha-what, d-dud-dear?" asked Bessie, apparently unable to think
of any formula other than this in speaking, since this was the
second time she had used it.

"He is sweeping the library."

"Then you must not go down," cried Bessie, sitting up, and losing
her fear for a moment in her anxiety for her husband's safety. "A
burglar you might manage, but a maniac--"

"I must go, Bess," said Thaddeus, firmly.

"Then I'm going with you," said Mrs. Perkins, with equal firmness.

"Now, Bess, don't be foolish," returned Thaddeus, his face assuming
a graver expression than his wife had ever seen there. "This is my
work, and it is none of yours. I positively forbid you to stir out
of this room. I shall be very careful, and you need have no concern
for me. I shall go down the backstairs and around by the porch, and
peep in through the library window first. The moonlight will be
sufficient to enable me to see all that is necessary."

"Very well," acquiesced Bessie, "only do be careful."

Thaddeus donned his long bath-robe, put on his slippers, and started
to descend. The stairs were so dark that he could with difficulty
proceed--and perhaps it was just as well for Thaddeus that they
were. If there had been light enough for him to see two great
glaring eyes that stared at him through that darkness out from the
passageway at the foot of the stairs, upon which he turned his back
when he went out upon the porch, it is not unlikely that a very
serious climax to his strange experience would have been reached
then and there. As it was, he saw nothing, but kept straight ahead,
stepped noiselessly out upon th