The thief had heard this old marksman-maxim fifty times.

But, like most hearers of maxims, he had forgotten it at the one time in his speckled career when it might have been of any use to him.
He had fired.

He had missed.

In another second, every sleeper in the house and in the gate-lodge would be out of bed.

His night's work was a blank, unless-- With a bull rush he hurled himself forward at the interestedly waiting Lad.