A moment later there was a roar as the blunderbuss went off, the contents lodging in the ceiling.

"Without hesitating for a moment the three men made a rush to the open window, and were gone.
"John Wilton," Miss Penfold said sternly, "you are a fool! I give you a month's notice from to-day.

Fasten up the shutters again and all go off to bed." And without another word she turned and went upstairs.

As she reached the landing her sister ran out of her room in great alarm.
"What is the matter, Charlotte?
I heard two explosions." "It is nothing, Eleanor.

Some men broke into the house, and we have gone down and frightened them away.