“The demon ain’t so careful as he wants to be!” Will said sagely. “Surely, here is a loophole of escape! I wish I could ease my feelings by heaping up big and meaning words, as Henry or George would do.”
He waited a few moments in some uneasiness, fearing that the demon might have heard him tampering with the lock; but as all remained quiet he put his hand through the opening, and shoved back the bolt.
The door opened, and Will stood in the outer room.
Having taken the precaution of shutting and bolting his door, he was warily drawing near the front door, when a strange sound proceeding from the demon’s hiding-place attracted his attention.
He heard the clink of money.
Will paused. “I’ll see what this means,” he said heroically, “but I’ll not run the risk of being captured. No; I’m too near freedom to throw away my chances just to see a crazy man finger his money.”
Picking up a stick from the smouldering fire, he softly approached the concealed door.
Poor boy! Experience should have taught him better than to play the Robber-Kitten—but when does experience profit a boy?
His usual luck befell him; he stumbled and fell prostrate with a crash.