atly alarmed,
while Stephen felt all the tender spirit of a brave man aroused within
him, as she sank faint and trembling upon the nearest seat.

'Don't be afraid,' he said courageously; 'they shall tear me to pieces
afore they touch you, Miss Anne. I'm stronger than you'd think; but if I
can't take care of thee, God can. Hasn't He sent me here, afore they
come, on purpose? They'd have come upon you unawares, but for God.'

'You are right, Stephen,' answered Miss Anne. 'He says, "Thou shalt not
be afraid for the terror by night." But what shall we do? How can we
make ourselves safer? I'll try not to be afraid; but we must do all we
can ourselves. Hark! there's a footstep already!'

Yes, there was a footstep, and not a very stealthy one, approaching the
house, and the dog bounded forward to the full length of his chain, but
he was beaten down with a blow that stunned him. The men were too strong
in numbers, and too secure in the extreme loneliness of the dwelling, to
care about taking many precautions. Miss Anne and Stephen heard Mr.
Wyley cross the floor of his room above, and open his window; but there
was silence again, and the chime of the house clock striking eleven was
the only sound that broke the silence until the casement above was
reclosed, and the master's footfall returned across the room.

'I must go and tell him,' said Miss Anne; 'perhaps he can secure some of
his money, lest Martha should be stopped on the way, or not come in
time. Stay here and watch, Stephen, and let me know if you hear
anything.'

She stole up-stairs in the dark, lest those without should see the
glimmer of her candle through the fanlight in the hall; and then she
spoke softly to her uncle through his locked and bolted door.
Down-stairs Stephen listened with his quickened hearing to the footsteps
gathering round the house; and presently the latch of the pantry door
was lifted with a sudden click that made him start and catch his breath;
but Jack Davies could come no further, now the rusty bolt was drawn on
the outside. There was a whispered conversation through the pantry
window, and the sound of some one getting out again; and then Stephen
crept across the dark kitchen into the hall through which Miss Anne had
gone. At the head of the staircase was the door of the master's room,
now standing open; and the light from it served to guide him across the
strange hall, and up the stairs, until he reached the doorway, and could
look in.