A loud report rang in their ears, and the room was filled with a thick, sulphurous smoke.
By the light of the powder’s flame when the first shot was fired, there was one who had seen the robber’s face—a face, once seen, not soon to be forgotten. The dark cavernous eyes of the “Badger” had been distinctly visible to Jane Ryan, who gave a scream of triumph and revenge.
It was but momentarily that she had caught sight of the forbidding features of the miscreant; but it was enough for her purpose.
She levelled her master’s gun at the supposed spot where the robber was; and as she fired, something fell heavily upon the floor.
A shudder passed over them like a cold wind. They drew their breath and heard the same whisperings outside the door.
John Ashbrook placed his sister behind himself and his brother. There was an interval of silence; they began to hope that the burglars had gone, when presently they perceived something on the opposite wall.
They watched it with fascinated eyes. It was a small, dark shadow, creeping towards them along the wall.
It was the shadow of a man’s hand.
Then they heard a harsh, rustling sound, as if something was being dragged along the floor.
The robbers were taking away the dead body of their comrade.