The farmer and his wife returned home.
“I tell you what it is, Richard,” said Patty, “we had best be on our guard, for probably these tea-tray men may pay us a visit—who knows?”
“Oh, we none of us know. The burglary committed at Oakfield House years agone has proved to be almost a curse—certainly it has been attended with fatal effects to one member of our family.”
“Fatal! To whom?”
No. 57.
SEIZING A STOUT ASH STICK FARMER ASHBROOK PROCEEDED TO GIVE THE VILLAIN A THRASHING.
“To poor Jane,” said Richard Ashbrook. “And it has not ended with her death. John is no longer the same man. I think, of all men in the world, the Ashbrooks have reason to dread any attack of that nature. So, as you say, we’ll be prepared—to be forewarned is to be forearmed. I’ll tell you what I’ll do, Patty.”
“Well—what?”
“I’ll just step round to Brickett’s for half an hour or so. I shall learn more about this business at the ‘Lion.’”