They tugged and hammered at the great oak door, which he had further strengthened by erecting behind it a pile of the heaviest lumber he could find in the place.

It was imperative that they should not get in, and he got Dickson's pistol ready with the firm intention of shooting them if necessary.

But they did nothing, except to hold a conference in the hazel clump a hundred yards to the north, when Dobson seemed to be laying down the law, and Leon spoke rapidly with a great fluttering of hands.

They were obviously puzzled by the sight of Heritage, whom they believed to have left the neighbourhood.

Then Dobson went off, leaving Leon and Spidel on guard, one at the edge of the shrubberies between the Tower and the House, the other on the side nearest the Laver glen.
These were their posts, but they did sentry-go around the building, and passed so close to Heritage's window that he could have tossed a cigarette on their heads.
It occurred to him that he ought to get busy with camouflage.