At that moment the door from the hall was thrown open, and a man appeared in the doorway. In his hand he held a revolver, which he pointed straight at Uncle John and Chester, who stood in plain sight before the window.
"Hands up!" he called.
There was nothing for it but to obey. Uncle John's and Chester's hands went high in the air.
Hal, well back from the light which streamed through the open door and the window, slunk further back in the darkness. He was unnoticed, and he knew that he held the whip hand.
"So," said the man in the doorway, "burglars, eh? Well, I shall attend to your cases."
With revolver levelled in a steady hand he advanced further into the room.
CHAPTER VII.
UNCLE JOHN IN TROUBLE.
A few paces in front of Chester and Uncle John the newcomer paused.
"Armed?" he asked.