bed, save that a rug or two had
been kicked up, and a chair tilted over against the wall; but at the
second glance Tom felt a thrill, for there facing him was the old walnut
bureau, with its drawers open, and the contents tumbled over and over,
the small top drawer to the right especially taking Tom's attention, for
it hung nearly out and was perfectly empty.

There had not been much in it, only a few papers, but one was the large
cartridge paper envelope, which contained the documents given to him by
his uncle when that strange visit was paid. These had evidently gone;
what else had been taken it was impossible to say.

"They've been at it here, Master Tom, haven't they?"

"I'm afraid so, David."

"Then hadn't I better go and fetch the policeman directly, sir?"

"No," said Tom decisively. "We must wait till uncle comes back, and see
what he says."

"But they'll get right away, sir, 'fore he comes back."

"I'm afraid whoever it was has got right away, David," said Tom; and he
told his companion as much of the events of the past night as he thought
necessary.

"Oh, why didn't you come and call me up, Master Tom?" cried the gardener
reproachfully. "If I'd been there we could ha' captivated 'em, for
there must ha' been two. That there ladder couldn't ha' lifted itself
up again, and stood ready for the one inside to get down."

"Yes, there must have been two," said Tom thoughtfully.

"You should ha' comed and called me, sir--you should indeed. I've got
as much right to take care o' master's property when he's out as you
have."

"I never thought of it, David."

"It's on'y three 'undered and forty-nine yards and a half to my cottage,
sir. You might have thought o' me."

"I only wish I had," said Tom warmly. "I should have been so glad to
have you."

"Well, sir, there's something in that," said David, but only to repeat
himself in a reproachful tone--"It was on'y three 'undered and
forty-nine yards, and what's that to a young gent like you."

"It can't be helped now, David. Let's go up-stairs."

Tom felt stiffer as he went up the step-ladder, and the whole business
of the struggle in the dark came back as they stood in the observatory,
where all seemed to be correct, save an overturned stool, and the
position of the telescope in the middle changed.

"What's gone from here, sir?" asked David.

"I don't see anything."

"Oh, but they must have took something else, sir."

"Perhaps so, but I cannot