I shall be ready by the time you come down." In two or three minutes the servants, headed by the butler, who had armed himself with a blunderbuss that always hung in his room ready for action, came downstairs.

Miss Penfold came out to meet them half-dressed.

She had a pistol in her hand.

The maids had armed themselves with pokers and brooms.
"Have you looked to the priming of your blunderbuss ?" Miss Penfold asked quietly.
"No, ma'am." "Well, then, look now," she said sharply.

"What's the use of having a weapon if you don't see that it's in order ?" "It's all right, ma'am," the butler said, examining the priming.
"Well, then, come along and don't make a noise." They went downstairs noiselessly, and paused when they reached the hall.