"Are you certain of that?"
"Absolutely. I thought I heard an unusual noise, and looked out when—There! Do you hear that?"
"It would be strange if I didn't," Jack replied as the creaking of the shed door swinging back on its hinges sounded remarkably loud and harsh on the still night air. "I'll get right up; go downstairs and wait for me."
"It will be better if I stay in the hall-way," Aunt Nancy said in a voice, the tremor of which told that she was thoroughly frightened.
Never before had Jack dressed so quickly, and as he did he tried to think what course should be pursued.
There seemed to be no question but that burglars were on the premises, and to encounter them single handed and alone would be the height of folly.
As may be fancied, he had not made a very elaborate toilet when he joined Aunt Nancy at the head of the stairs.
It was sufficient that he had on enough clothing to admit of his going out of doors without danger of taking cold.
"Have you got a gun or a pistol?" he asked of the little woman who was shivering with fear as if with an ague fit.
"No indeed, I never would dare to sleep in the same house with such things."