“Why?”
“Because there must have been some one outside to lift the ladder up again.”
“After you had laid it down. Of course.”
“And I heard a whispering too.”
“Must have been at least two then, Tom. Well, that’s something. Now then for the next. You had a regular struggle with the burglar—a big strong fellow of course, or he would not have got the better of you.”
“Oh no,” said Tom quickly; “not very big or strong. I held my own with him pretty well, but he had the best of it.”
“You could not see his face?”
“No, uncle.”
“But you formed an idea of who it was?” Tom was silent.
“Some one who must have known the place, eh?”