to do. If they try to break in anywhere down here, do you come at
once quietly up to me."

The Squire had taken off his boots before he lay down, and, holding
his heavy hunting crop in his hand, he went quietly upstairs. As
he went to the window he heard Arthur Bastow say angrily:

"Confound the old woman! she has locked the door; she has never
played me that trick before. There is a ladder in the stable, and
I will get in at that window up there and open it for you. Or you
may as well come up that way, too, and then you can stow the things
away in my room at once, and have done with it."

The Squire went hastily down.

"Come upstairs, Knapp," he whispered to the constable. "There are
three of them, and I fancy the two mounted men are highwaymen. Let
them all get in, keeping yourself well back from the window. The
moon is round on the other side of the house, but it will be light
enough for us to see them as they get in. I will take the last
fellow, and I will warrant that he will give no trouble; then I
will fall upon the second, and do you spring on young Bastow. The
two highwaymen are sure to have pistols, and he may have some also.
Give him a clip with that cudgel of yours first, then spring on
him, and hold his arms tightly by his side. If I call you give him
a back heel and throw him smartly, and then come to my aid. I don't
think I shall want it, but it is as well to prepare for everything."

They went upstairs and took their places, one on each side of the
window, standing three or four feet back. Just as they took up their