The sound of the voices showed that the new arrivals were at the front, and the way was open for the flight of the amateur burglars, who still hesitated, afraid that men were lying in wait to nab them.
More than likely they would have tarried too long, but for a movement on the part of the newcomers. They were increasing so fast that they became courageous, and one of them pushed open the front door.
The creaking of its hinges and the tramping in the adjoining room spurred Jim and Billy, who hesitated no longer. Through the door they stole on tip-toe, and a few steps took them across the porch to the soft ground, where the soft earth gave back no sound. The trees, too, seemed to spread their protecting branches over them, and inspired them with such courage that, after hurrying a few rods, they came to a stop and looked back and listened.
“By George! that was the luckiest thing that ever happened to us!” whispered Jim McGovern, with a sigh of relief.
“That’s so,” assented his companion; “I thought we was goners sure, and we come mighty nigh it.”
“I wonder whether that gag is too tight in Tom’s mouth?”
“No, of course not; can’t he breathe through his nose?”
“But mebbe he has a cold.”
“That won’t make any difference, for he knows how to breathe through his ears; Tom’s too smart to die yet. Besides, if he is dead, it’s too late for us to help him; them folks are upstairs by this time, and they’ll get the handkerchief out of his mouth in a jiffy, unless, mebbe, he has swallowed it.”
“I say, Billy,” said Jim, “this thing in my hand weighs more than a ton!”