Hiram pointed to the scattered plunder. For the first time the
colonel caught sight of the scattered stuff. He gasped, and stared,
and fidgeted. Then he hastened back across the porch and into the
vestibule.

Clang! clang! Clang! rang out a great alarm gong, and almost
immediately two men servants of the place came rushing out
half-dressed upon the porch.

In a very much excited way the colonel incoherently told of the
burglary. He ordered the men to gather up the scattered plunder.
Then he turned his attention to Dave and Hiram.

"Now, tell me about the whole thing," he spoke.

"There isn't much to tell, Colonel Lyon," replied Dave. "We were
sitting here waiting--"

"Waiting?" repeated the showman sharply.

"Yes, sir."

"What for?"

"To see you."

"Eh?" projected the Colonel, with a stare.

"That's right, Mister," declared Hiram. "You see, it's pretty