Tom's wits were a little confused, after the hard knock he had received upon the head, and all he could do was to stand and look at the oracle of Pinchbrook, and wait for further developments.
"Young man," said the squire, sternly, and in tones that were intended to make a deep impression upon the mind of the young man, "your time has come." The squire paused, and looked at the culprit to ascertain the effect of the startling announcement; but Tom seemed to be perfectly cool, and was not annihilated by the suggestive remark of the great man of Pinchbrook.
"You have become a midnight marauder," added the squire, poetically.
"It isn't seven o'clock yet," said Tom pointing to the great wooden clock in the corner of the room.
"You joined a mob to pillage and destroy the property of a peaceable citizen.

You broke in--" "No, sir; the cellar door broke in," interposed the culprit.
"You broke into my house to set it afire!" continued the squire, in a rage.
"No, sir, I did not.

I only went round there to see the fun," replied Tom, pointing to the rear of the house; "and the cellar door broke down and let me in.

I did not mean to do you or your house any harm; and I didn't do any, except breaking the cellar door, and I will have that mended." "Don't tell me, you young villain! You meant to burn my house." "No, I didn't mean any thing of the kind," replied Tom, stoutly.

"I was going off when the door broke down.