She looked round her, and her eyes fell upon the old horse-pistol which rested on a couple of hooks over the door.

The farmer had taken it down only a day or two before, to show it to her and tell her its story.

It was not loaded, but Simon did not know that.

She stepped lightly up on a chair, and in a moment had taken the pistol down.

It was a formidable-looking weapon, and Hildegarde surveyed it with much satisfaction as she turned once more to enter the kitchen.
Unloaded as it was, it gave her a feeling of entire confidence; and her voice was quiet and steady as she said: "Simon Hartley, what are you doing to your uncle's desk ?" The man started violently and turned round, his hands full of papers, which he had taken from one of the drawers.