Part 11 (1/2)
But no shots and no sound of a scuffle were heard Robertson returned to say that he had investigated every nook and cranny that aentered the house anywhere
The little gathering stared about with questioning, bewildered eyes, and no one felt any happier for the news The fact re who had apparently vanished into air For what purpose had that shot been fired? At what? At whom?
”I can't make it out,” said Robertson ”There see off fireworks in the ”
”Perhaps it is a trick of sohten us But I don't see that that is possible”
”Nor I,” said Robertson ”People aren't in the habit of playing practical jokes without some purpose in theood all of you staying up like this If you'll just get back to your beds, I'll watch for the rest of the night It ot clean away by now That is the , of course--his firear round the veranda, and he knew he had done for hiht coain, but I don't expect him”
No one felt much inclined to take Robertson's practical advice At the same time it see, and Mrs Orban agreed that every one should go to bed
Eustace went very reluctantly He would have liked to stay up and share Robertson's watch like apart in such an exciteht of it had she been there
”Goodness, wouldn't she have been scared!” he reflected ”I do wonder what she would have done”
At least there would be plenty to tell her when she cauessed, when it was all over, she would be disappointed at having been out of such adventures as these There was a sort of glow about the realization that they were such very real adventures--experiences that did not come every day and to every one The only stupid part about it was having to go to bed
Mrs Orban felt no glow in her realization of the situation She longed for her husband, and wondered how she was going to bear his absence o on she felt that it would break her nerve entirely
Having kissed Eustace and sent hiet into bed Sleep she kneould be i doith the set purpose ofherself read awhile, in order to quiet her mind, when a sharp cry reached her from the next room
”Mother! mother!” Eustace cried, ”come here--quick!”
CHAPTER VI
BOB'S VERDICT
She found Eustace standing beside his bed staring at it in utter bewilderment
”My dearest boy, what is it?” she asked
”Why, look at that!” Eustace exclai down at the coverlet
Froht side, down al brown streak like a burn: the coverlet was cut and charred
Mrs Orban stared at it in astonishment
”What can it be?” she said
”I can't think,” Eustace replied
”You had better fetch Robertson,” Mrs Orban said ”There is so left alone,round anxiously, as if he thought an explanation of the ht jump from under a bed or out of a cupboard
”Of course not, dear,” Mrs Orban replied gravely