ose of erection, the boys and Uncle Moses all stole
over to that south window, where, standing a little distance back,
so as to be out of observation, they looked out. Each one grasped
his weapon of defence.

Clive his chair.

Frank his knife.

Bob his chair.

David his knife.

Uncle Moses his razor.

"Be ready, boys," said Uncle Moses, in a firm voice, as he grasped
his razor. "The hour air come, and the decisive moment air at hand!"

He said this in a whisper, and the boys made no reply whatever.

The brigands meanwhile elevated the ladder, and the upper end struck
the building. The dull thud of that stroke sent a thrill to the
hearts of those listeners in the room. As they saw one of the
brigands seize the ladder in order to mount, they all involuntarily
shrank back one step.

"It isn't this window, at any rate," said Frank, in a whisper.

This remark encouraged them for a moment. No, it was not their
window, but the attic window. They watched in silence now, and
saw the four brigands go up.

Overhead they heard the sound that announced them as they stepped
in through the window.

One brigand!

Two brigands!!

Three brigands!!!

Four brigands!!!!

And now the momentary relief which they had experienced at seeing
that the attack was not made upon their window was succeeded by
the darkest apprehensions, as they heard the entrance of those four
brigands, and knew that these desperate men were just above them.
They were there overhead. The hatchway was open. Through that
opening they could drop down one by one.

The same thought came to all of them, and with one common impulse
they moved softly to where the step-ladder lay on the floor. Frank
made this movement first; the others followed.

They stood ranged along the step-ladder.

First, Frank, with his knife.

Second, Bob, with his chair.

Third, Clive, with his chair.

Fourth, David, with his knife.

Fifth, Uncle Moses, with his razor.

Every one held his weapon in a grasp which the excitement of the
moment had rendered convulsive. Every eye was fixed upon the
hatchway above, which lay concealed in the gloom. Overhead they
heard, whispering, but no movement whatever.

"Let's jump out of the windows and run," whispered Bob, hurriedly.

"No," said Frank, "they are watching below--no use."

But further remarks were prevented by the sudden glimmer of a light
above. It was a light in the attic, not very bright, yet sufficiently
so to