The man had escaped! He turned slowly back with baffled anger and vindictiveness.

However, he had prevented something, although he knew not what.

The principal had got away, but he had identified his confederate, and for the first time held a clue to his mysterious visitant.

There was no use to alarm the household, which did not seem to have been disturbed.

The trespassers were far away by this time, and the attempt would hardly be repeated that night.