n hardly believe it."

"I'm almost quite sure," returned Ruth; "at all events he was dressed
like one--and, oh! he _was_ so gruff!"

From this point Ruth diverged into further and more minute details of
the robbery, over which the three gloated with a species of fascination
which is more frequently associated with ghost stories than true tales.
Indeed we may say that _four_ gloated over it, for Liffie Lee, unable to
restrain her curiosity, put her head in at the door--at first with the
more or less honest intention of asking if "hany think was wanted," and
afterwards let her head remain from sheer inability to withdraw it.

At one point in the thrilling narrative she became intensely excited,
and when Ruth tried in sepulchral tones to imitate John Gunter's gruff
voice, she exclaimed, "Oh! lawks!" in such a gasp that the three ladies
leaped up with three shrieks like three conscience-smitten kittens
caught in a guilty act! Liffie was rebuked, but from pity, or perhaps
sympathy, was allowed to remain to hear the end.

When that point was reached, it was found to be so late that the streets
were almost deserted, and the particular part in which their lodging
stood was dreadfully silent.

"How am I ever to get home?" asked Ruth.

"It is not more than twenty doors off," said Kate, "and Liffie will go
with you."

"Lawks, ma'am," said Liffie, "what could the likes o' me do if we was
attacked? An' then--I should 'ave to return _alone_!"

"That is true," said the tender-hearted Jessie; "what _is_ to be done?
Our landlady goes to bed early. It would never do to rouse her--and
then, she may perhaps be as great a coward as we are. Oh! if there was
only a _man_ in the house. Even a boy would do."

"Ah! I jist think 'e would," said Liffie. "If little Billy was 'ere, I
wouldn't ax for no man."

"I'll tell you what," said Kate with a bright look of decision, "we'll
all go together. Get on your bonnet, Jessie."

There was no resisting Kate when once she had made up her mind. She put
on her own bonnet, and her sister quickly returned ready, "with a
heart," as Byron says, "for any fate?"

"Now don't speak, any of you," whispered Kate. "If we are attacked, let
us give a united shriek. That will raise some one to our aid."

"I should think it would, ma'am. It would a'most raise the dead," said
Liffie, who also prepared herself for the ordeal.

Dark and deserted streets at late hours, with dangerous characters kno