use
on the cinema, and will be out in a minute, but I'll get a start of
him!" she thought, and tearing down stairs like the wind, she literally
flew into the garden, and gasped forth the thrilling news.

"It's the Blue bedroom--watch the window or he may jump out!" she added
quickly.

There was an instant rush towards the house; Miss Walters, with Milner
and four other chauffeurs to support her, dashed up stairs, Mr. Bowden
and a crowd of visitors took their stand under the windows. Shouts from
the bedroom presently announced that the burglar had been secured, and
after a while he was led down stairs with his wrists fastened together
by a piece of clothes line, and guarded on each side by two determined
looking men, who hustled him into a car, and drove him off at once to
the police station at Glazebrook.

The excitement at Chilcombe Hall was tremendous. It was of course
impossible to go on with the entertainment. Mistresses, girls, and
guests could do nothing but talk about the occurrence. Carmel was
questioned, and gave as minute and accurate an account as she could of
exactly what had happened. She was much congratulated by everybody on
her presence of mind.

"I don't know how you dared do it!" shivered Dulcie. "He might have shot
you with a revolver!"

"You're a brave girl!" said Miss Walters approvingly. "If it hadn't been
for your prompt action, in all probability he would have got away."

"I didn't feel brave. I was scared to death!" admitted Carmel.

Although she would not acknowledge any particular credit in her
achievement, Carmel was necessarily the heroine of the hour. Miss
Walters, feeling that everybody must be in need of refreshment after
such an event, ordered tea to be served immediately, and soon the urns
were carried out into the garden, where tables had already been set with
cups and saucers and plates of sandwiches and cakes.

After a short time Mr. Bowden, who had accompanied the burglar to the
police station, returned to report that their prisoner was safely
quartered in a cell, and a formal charge had been lodged against him,
which in due course of law would lead to his trial for house-breaking.

"The police think he is not an old offender, but some cyclist who was
passing, and probably yielded to a sudden temptation," he explained.
"Nevertheless, he'll get a sharp sentence, for there has been too much
of this sort of thing going on lately, and the judges are inclined to be
very severe