job
will be some one else's.'

'No fear!' said Jones, putting some fresh lumps of coal on to the tripod
fire. 'If I should drop off (and I shan't!), I am a very light sleeper;
the least step wakes me, and then my dog will let no one come near the
place. Oh, I am all right, and as warm as toast!

'That's more than I can say!' said the policeman, for he had no warm
shed to protect him from the keen east wind. 'Well, good-night--and
good-night, Jack,' he added, stooping to pat the dog, who was Jones's
close friend and companion.

'Ah, he knows you!' remarked Jones, as the dog rubbed his head against
the policeman's legs; 'but he can be a bit nasty to strangers, Jack
can.'

'I dare say he can,' was the policeman's answer as he went off, and
disappeared into the darkness.

In an hour's time he was round again, and stood awhile at the corner of
the square. The tripod fire was burning as fiercely as ever, and gave
light enough to show Jones--fast asleep! Jack, however, was awake, and
stood there, with bristling hair, ready to guard his master.

'Good old Jack!' said the policeman, as he patted the dog's head, and
Jack yawned, stretched his legs, and lay down again.

'And he calls himself a light sleeper!' said the policeman, looking at
the snoring Jones, who leant back with his arms folded, and his eyes
shut.

'It would be a bit of a joke to make off with his lantern and ropes,'
said the policeman to himself; 'it might teach him not to be so
bumptious about his light sleeping.'

The idea was irresistible, for the policeman was young, and loved a
joke. 'I'll do it!' he said at last, and, as he spoke, he went towards
Jones's shelter. Jack--faithful Jack--looked up suspiciously, but the
policeman said, briskly, 'It's all right, Jack; your master knows
me'--and Jack lay down again, feeling perhaps that a policeman could do
no harm.

The next time the policeman passed the square he roused the
still-sleeping Jones. 'Wake up, Jones,' he said; 'the men will be here
directly, and they must not find you sleeping.'

'I only just closed my eyes,' said Jones, drowsily. He sat up, however,
and the next minute exclaimed loudly: 'Hallo! who has been here?
Thieves! my lantern is gone and the coil of new rope! I'm ruined, I tell
you! I shall never get another night job!'

'Gone?' said the policeman, feigning astonishment. 'Surely not. You are
too light a sleeper for any one to take your things without you knowing
it, you know.