Part 4 (1/2)

As they talked further the peddler said, sinking his voice to an undertone, ”I want yeow youngsters to hev some advice; it won't cost ye nothin', an' it may save ye a heap of trouble. There's a bad 'un stayin'

at this old tavern, an' he's likely to want yeow boys to pay fer his rum.

Naow, he won't ask ye fer money, but be all-fired keerful that he don't git it from ye anyhow. Jes sleep with one eye open, an' hev a hick'ry club handy t' yer bed.”

Ree told the peddler of their conversation with the stranger at the table, and as he described the fellow, their new friend said:

”He ar the one, an' him an' the hos'ler here are bad 'uns.”

As the hour grew late Ree and John went to the barn to see that their cart and horse had been properly cared for, and returning, went immediately to bed. For half an hour they lay awake talking of their journey. Their money was between them in the big four-poster and each had a pistol within reach. At last they said ”Good night” to one another, and settling themselves in comfortable positions, composed themselves to sleep.

All had grown quiet about the old tavern. The ticking of the big clock down stairs, and the baying of a hound off in the woods somewhere, were the only sounds which reached the ears of the young emigrants. And thus they forgot their travels and where they were, and the danger which hovered near.

It was sometime after midnight when Ree was suddenly awakened. He had heard no sound, nor could he tell what had disturbed his slumber; but he had instantly found himself, eyes wide open, every sense alert. Without the slightest noise or movement he lay listening. A minute later he felt for just an instant the touch of something cold against his skin.

”A snake,” was his first thought, and a little thrill of horror crossed him as the idea of a reptile being in their bed, flashed over his brain.

Again he felt the touch, cold and clammy against his side; and, intending to grab the serpent, if such it was, and hurl it from the bed, with a quick movement of his arm he made a desperate grab. He caught and for but an instant held a human hand, large and coa.r.s.e.

”John!” Ree spoke the name with startled emphasis, and its owner rose up in bed like a flash.

”What? What is it?”

”There is some one in this room! He has been reaching into the bed, trying to rob us.”

As he spoke Ree sprang out upon the floor. ”And here's the window open!

That shows where he came in. Get your pistol and be ready to fire if he tries to jump out. I am going to skirmish for the rascal!”

Faint rays of moonlight made the room not entirely dark, but Ree could see no sign of the intruder as he stepped softly to the middle of the floor. It was a useless action; for, as he was between the three dark walls and the window in the outer wall, the robber could easily see him without being seen himself. It was a fault of Return Kingdom's that he did not properly consider his own safety, and the wonder is that he did not in this instance become the target for a bullet.

”I'd better yell for help,” suggested John.

”You'd better not!” said Ree emphatically, peering into the dark corners.

”I cannot be mistaken, but if I should be--well we don't care to be laughed at.”

Not a sound was heard as both boys remained perfectly quiet. Then on tip-toe Ree went to all the corners of the room, his left hand outstretched before him while his right held a pistol ready for instant use.

”John, did you sneeze?” he demanded as a smothered ”kerchoo” came from the direction of his friend.

”He's under the bed, Ree! He's under the bed! Call help!” This was John's answer and his tone was sharp with excitement.

In a trice Ree was at the foot of the bed and looking beneath it. A dark object there moved slightly.

”Come out of that!” Ree sternly demanded, and the click of his pistol as he c.o.c.ked the weapon sounded loud and clear. At the same moment the object beneath the four-poster began to crawl and soon coming forth, stood erect--the stranger the boys had met at supper.

”Oh, it's you, is it?” e.j.a.c.u.l.a.t.ed Ree with an inflection of contempt in his voice; but the next instant the intruder's hands were about his throat.

”Help! Help!” yelled John Jerome.

Finding the young man he had seized, a much harder problem than he was prepared to handle, and frightened by John's cries, the stranger gave Ree a shove and sprang toward the window.