“Haven’t heard anything more out of ’em,” he said. “I’ll guess they think I went away.”
“Any light in the place?” asked the constable.
“Yes, a candle light in the kitchen. I wanted to crawl up and take a peep inside, but thought I wouldn’t risk it, for fear they’d spot me and try to dust out.”
After this the others were called up and a regular council of war ensued. Constable Peabody took charge, and he asked all to march up with him and surround the house. Then, taking Jim Bowman with him, he knocked loudly on the back door.
“Who’s there?” asked a rough voice, and then the voice was changed to an imitation of Ike Slosson’s and the speaker continued: “Go away! I want no strangers here. Go away!”
“Look here, this Tom-foolery won’t do!” cried the constable. “Open the door, or I’ll have it broken down.”
At this there was an added commotion in the house. Two men came to a window and peeped out.
“Hullo! there are half a dozen men out there,” muttered one.
“And they have got guns,” growled the other. “Muley, I reckon de jig’s up.”
“Who are you?” asked Noxy, the man at the door.