xpected to meet him.

"They ain't abed yet," observed the policeman.

"No; I see that my groom is up, and there is a light in my father's
study. I'll tap at the groom's window."

"Come in av yer feet's clean," was Dan's response to the tap, as he
opened the shutters and flattened his nose against a pane of glass in
order to observe the intruder.

"Dan, open the back door and let me in!"

"Hallo! Mister Kenneth!"

Dan vanished at once, and opened the door.

"Hush, Dan; is my father at home?"

"He is, sur."

"Come in, Gildart. Take care of that constable, Dan; give him his
supper. There's work both for him and you to-night. He will explain it
to you."

Saying this Kenneth took Gildart to the drawing-room, and left him there
while he went to his father's study.

At first Mr Stuart was alarmed by the abrupt entrance of the big
labourer; then he was nettled and disgusted at what he deemed a silly
practical joke of his son. Ultimately he was astonished and somewhat
incredulous in regard to the prospects of housebreaking which his son
held out to him. He was so far convinced, however, as to allow Kenneth
to make what preparations he pleased, and then retired to rest, coolly
observing that if the burglars did come it was evident they would be
well taken care of without his aid, and that if they did _not_ come
there was no occasion for his losing a night's rest.

Between two and three o'clock that morning three men climbed over the
garden wall of Seaside Villa, and, having deposited their shoes in a
convenient spot, went on tiptoe to the dining-room window. Here they
paused to consult in low whispers.

While they were thus engaged, three other men watched their movements
with earnest solicitude from a neighbouring bush behind which they lay
concealed.

After a few moments one of the first three went to the window and began
to cut out part of a pane of glass with a glazier's diamond. At the
same time, one of the second three--a tall stout man in a smock-frock--
advanced on tiptoe to watch the operation.

When the piece of glass was cut out the first three put their heads
together for farther consultation. Immediately their respective throats
were seized and compressed by three strong pair of hands, and the heads
were knocked violently together!

Gildart addressed himself to the red-haired man; the policeman devoted
himself to the one with the beard; and Kenneth paid particular attention
to the gent