ismissed
some months before because of his cruelty to Thunderer.

"Ajax," he said sternly, "you are lying to me! I know that your family
are not in distress, and that you can make an honest living if you
choose to be industrious and faithful to your employers. You were well
paid here but lost your situation by inexcusable cruelty to dumb
animals.

"Since discharging you I have more than once supplied the wants of your
wife and children; and this is your grateful return;--coming to rob me,
bringing with you another, and perhaps more desperate villain than
yourself."

The men-servants had followed their master into the library and stood
listening to the colloquy in open-mouthed astonishment.

"How dey git locked up in dar, cap'in?" asked one.

"Miss Lulu slammed the door to on them and locked and bolted it," he
replied, his eyes shining at thought of the unselfish bravery of his
child.

"Ki, cap'n! you's jokin', fo' shuah, dat little Miss Lu lock up de
bugglars? how she gwine do dat? she one small chile an' dey two big
men?"

"She undoubtedly did it," returned the captain, smiling at the man's
evident amazement. "She heard them at work with their tools, on the safe
door, came softly down into this room, peeped at them through the crack
behind the door there, and before they were aware of her vicinity,
slammed it to and bolted and locked it on them."

"Hurrah for little Miss Lu!" cried the men; one of them adding, "Dey
mus' hab her fo' a kunnel in de nex' wah."

"No, sah; higher'n dat; fo' brigandine gineral at de berry leas'!" said
another.

Seeing no hope of escape, the prisoners had ceased their efforts and
awaited their fate in sullen silence.

They did not know who had been their captor, and in telling the story of
Lulu's exploit the captain purposely so lowered his tones that scarce a
word reached their ears.

At this moment Max appeared at the door opening from the library into
the front hall; only half dressed and asking in much excitement, what
was the matter? what was the meaning of the lights and the noises that
had waked him?

His father explained in a few words, and as he finished a loud knocking
at the front entrance told of the arrival of the sheriff and his posse.

They were promptly admitted, filed into the library and formed a
semi-circle about the door of the strong room--each man with a revolver
in his hand, cocked and ready for instant use.

The door was then unfastened and the bur