, for some time, and just as he had got off his seat to
take one, he heard, as he thought, a foot coming to the door; but no, it
was a false alarm.

11. Taking fresh courage, he went cautiously and took a very fine cherry,
for he was determined to take but one, and put it into his mouth. It was
excellent; and then he persuaded himself that he ran no risk in taking
another; this he did, and hastily popped it into his mouth.

12. Now, the old gentleman had placed a few artificial cherries at the top
of the others, filled with Cayenne pepper; one of these Henry had
unfortunately taken, and it made his month smart and burn most
intolerably. The old gentleman heard him coughing, and knew very well what
was the matter. The boy that would take what did not belong to him, if no
more than a cherry, was not the boy for him. Henry Wilkins was sent about
his business without delay, with his mouth almost as hot as if he had put
a burning coal in to it.

13. Rufus Wilson was next introduced into the room and left to himself;
but he had not been there ten minutes before he began to move from one
place to another. He was of a bold, resolute temper, but not overburdened
with principle; for if he could have opened every cupboard, closet, and
drawer in the house, without being found out, he would have done it
directly.

14. Having looked around the room, he noticed a drawer to the table, and
made up his mind to peep therein. But no sooner did he lay hold of the
drawer knob than he set a large bell ringing, which was concealed under
the table. The old gentleman immediately answered the summons, and entered
the room.

15. Rufus was so startled by the sudden ringing of the bell, that all his
impudence could not support him. He looked as though anyone might knock
him down with a feather. The old gentleman asked him if he had rung the
bell because he wanted anything. Rufus was much confused and stammered,
and tried to excuse himself, but all to no purpose, for it did not prevent
him from being ordered off the premises.

16. George Jones was then shown into the room by an old steward; and being
of a cautious disposition, he touched nothing, but only looked at the
things about him. At last he saw that a closet door was a little open,
and, thinking it would be impossible for anyone to know that he had opened
it a little more, he very cautiously opened it an inch farther, looking
down at the bottom of the door, that it might not catch agains