About 2.30 A.M., I was startled to hear someone gently open that back door, then take off boots and begin to softly ascend the stairs, which stopped only the width of a narrow hall from my room.

I have been told that I said in trembling tones, "You're trying to keep pretty quiet down there." Next moment I was at the head of the stairs; saw a man whom I did not recognize on the last step but one.

I struck a heavy blow on his chest, saying, "Go down, sir," and down he tumbled all the way, his boots clanking along by themselves.

Then the door opened, my burglar disappeared, and I went down and locked the back door as I had promised father I would.

I felt less proud of my physical prowess and real courage when my attention was called to a full account of my assault in the college papers of the day.