"I've read in Home Notes or somewhere that when burglars appear, if you light up they get frightened and go away."
They had roused Aunt Katharine who had come as company for a night or two and had gone to bed at half-past nine.
"What's the good of frightening them if you've sent for the police?" asked Aunt Katharine. "Better let them get caught red-handed." She invariably objected to being roused from her first sleep.
"Oh goodness," wailed Betty. "It sounds like murder." She felt quite thrilled.
The maids cowered shivering in the passage.
"I heard them flower pots again, Miss. 'E's either got in or--'e's----"
They distinctly heard the pantry window move.
"Well, the door between is locked," said the quiet voice of Mrs. Leighton, "and the police ought to be here very soon now."
Jean took the curlers out of her hair.
"I wish they would hurry up," said she.