"Oh, but Redclay had a tremendous sensation next day! Jack Drew,
of all the men in the world, had been caught in the act of robbing the bank.
According to Browne's account in court and in the newspapers,
he returned home that night at about twelve o'clock (which I knew was a lie,
for I saw him being helped home nearer two) and immediately retired to rest
(on top of the quilt, boots and all, I suppose). Some time before daybreak
he was roused by a fancied noise (I suppose it was his head swelling);
he rose, turned up a night lamp (he hadn't lit it, I'll swear),
and went through the dining-room passage and office to investigate
(for whisky and water). He saw that the doors and windows were secure,
returned to bed, and fell asleep again.

"There is something in a deaf person's being roused easily.
I know the case of a deaf chap who'd start up at a step or movement
in the house when no one else could hear or feel it; keen sense of vibration,
I reckon. Well, just at daybreak (to shorten the yarn)
the banker woke suddenly, he said, and heard a crack like a shot in the house.
There was a loose flooring-board in the passage that went off
like a pistol-shot sometimes when you trod on it; and I guess Jack Drew
trod on it, sneaking out, and he weighed nearly twelve stone.
If the truth were known, he probably heard Browne poking round,
tried the window, found the sash jammed, and was slipping through the passage
to the back door. Browne got his revolver, opened his door suddenly,
and caught Drew standing between the girl's door (which was shut)
and the office door, with his coat on his arm and his boots in his hands.
Browne covered him with his revolver, swore he'd shoot if he moved,
and yelled for help. Drew stood a moment like a man stunned;
then he rushed Browne, and in the struggle the revolver went off,
and Drew got hit in the arm. Two of the mounted troopers -- who'd been up