The Road to Dumbiedykes 



Anyhow, I reasoned to myself, he had 

 never intended any such demonstra- 

 tion as that, and unless he had broken 

 his neck in the fall he had doubtless 

 made rapid tracks in the outer dark- 

 ness for tall timber. And so I mus- 

 tered up courage for a frontal attack 

 upon an ambushed enemy. 



Backed by all the females in the 

 house — we had no boy to send to 

 the front — I made a cautious descent 

 into the darkness below, bearing a 

 lighted candle. What better mark a 

 burglar could desire I am at a loss to 

 suggest. The last step was safely 

 reached, however. Somewhat to my 

 own disappointment I had not yet 

 been shot. Moreover, as yet I saw 

 nothing to shoot at myself. Every- 

 thing was in order, just as we had left 

 it on retiring for the night. The 

 doors were all closed, and the locks 

 had not been sprung. Ditto the win- 

 dows. All was mystery. But, let us 

 think a moment! Before closing up 

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