intrude upon us, if I can help it."

And then, instead of undressing for bed, they did the opposite thing,
and quietly dressed for an escape. And lastly, they concealed their
money and jewels about their persons, and threw a few of the most
necessary articles for their journey into one travelling bag, and then
sat down to listen and watch on the inside, as their friend was
listening and watching on the outside.

Then they heard Purley arranging and re-arranging his bed against his
door, and tumbling down upon it, like a man utterly overcome by fatigue
and drowsiness; after which all was silent, until the stertorous
breathing of the bailiff assured them of the depth of his sleep. After
that, not a sound was heard in the house. Lyon looked at his watch. It
was but nine o'clock, though the whole house was at rest. In these
remote country places, people go to roost with the fowls, or very soon
after.

Still for another hour of silent, breathless suspense they waited; and
then they heard a faint tapping on the door that was guarded by Munson.

Mr. Berners went up, and tapped gently in response.

"Hist!" breathed the voice from without, through the key-hole.

"Well!" murmured Lyon, through the same channel.

"Take some of the melted tallow on the top of your candle, and grease
the key-hole as well as you can, and then I will come in and talk to
you, if you will let me."

"Thanks; yes."

And Mr. Berners did as he was requested to do, and Munson slipped his
key into the lubricated key-hole, and silently unlocked the door.

"Oh, our deliverer!" fervently exclaimed Sybil, as he softly entered the
room and closed the door behind him, holding up his finger in warning to
them to be silent.

"And now sit close for a few minutes, while I tell you what I have done
and am going to do," said Munson, drawing a stool and sitting himself
upon it, before Mr. and Mrs. Berners.

"Go on," muttered Lyon, fervently pressing the hand of his friend.

"Oh, yes, go on, dear Bob!" eagerly whispered Sybil.

"First I put nearly half an ounce of laudanum in old Purley's bitter
beer, which made him think it so uncommon prime and bitter, that he
drank the whole quart."

"Good heaven! Munson, you have killed the man!" said Lyon, in dismay.

"No, I have only doubled the dose I gave him before, which took no
effect on him, so this will only put him to sleep for twelve hours or
so. Lord, listen how he snores! A thunderstorm wouldn't wake hi