leman, as he threw
open his window.

The invalid's lungs did not seem to be at all affected, and there would
have been no difficulty in hearing him all over the house, not to say
all over the estate. Richard, taking advantage of the momentary
confusion, threw open the window, and sprang into his room. Doors were
opening in all parts of the house, and he could hear the hurried tread
of the members of the household in the halls.

But Richard did not lose his self-possession, and hastily threw off his
clothes. Placing himself at the open window, he joined in the cry which
Mr. Presby still continued, and hallooed as lustily as his neighbor in
the adjoining room. The house was in a complete uproar, and presently
he heard the voices of his father and uncle Obed at his door.

"Richard," said Mr. Grant.

"Sir," replied the young scapegrace.

"Open the door."

"They are not in here, father; they are out doors. One of them just
jumped off the conservatory,--at least, I think he did."

"Did you see them?" asked uncle Obed.

"No, I didn't see them, but I think I heard them."

Mr. Grant seemed to be satisfied with the information he had gained,
and retired from the door. Richard lighted his lamp, and waited
impatiently for the disturbance to subside; but he had to wait a long
time, for every body about the place had been thoroughly waked up. Mr.
Presby went down to the sitting room, where, after a thorough search
had been made, the family and the servants had collected to compare
notes, and ascertain to what extent the supposed robbers had been
successful in their enterprise.

Richard's two sisters, Bertha and Fanny, were there, and both of them
very much terrified. Mr. Grant soon pacified them with the assurance
that no one had been injured, and that there was no further danger. But
Richard was not there, and his absence was noticed. He and Mr. Presby
had been the only persons who had heard the robbers, and they had
created the alarm. The old gentleman told his story, and Richard's
testimony was very much needed to complete the chain of evidence. One
of the men servants was sent up to request him to join the party.

"Tell them I don't feel very well, and have gone to bed again," replied
Richard, when the man delivered his message.

But this was the most dangerous answer he could have returned; for Mr.
Grant, followed by uncle Obed and Mr. Presby, hastened up stairs to
ascertain the nature of his illness.

"What ail