They had heard you were a rich man, and the sight of that ladder running up the side of the new extension was too much for them.

Indeed I know that it was for purposes of robbery they came, for they had hired this room opposite you some days previous to making the attempt.

You see they were almost destitute of money and though they had some buried in the cellar of the old house in Vermont, they dared not leave the city to procure it.

My brother was obliged to do so later, however.

It was a surprise to them seeing me in your house.