"If this isn't a confounded fix," murmured Mr. Haydon. "Why should this thieving rogue choose us to drop in on, of all people?"
"The unprotected house drew him, I expect," replied Jack.
"Ah, true," returned his father. "I wonder, though, if he had any accomplices."
He turned and spoke to the woman, and she at once blew out the lamp.
"The light in any case is dangerous as likely to attract attention," whispered Mr. Haydon. "Now, listen."
They listened intently for some time, but there was not the faintest sound of any movement in the neighbourhood.
"I hope to goodness this rascal was working by himself," went on Mr. Haydon, "and no one knew what he was about. We don't want a companion peering in to see what has happened to him."
"What under the sun are we going to do with him, father?" whispered Jack.
"We must leave him tied up here and run for it," replied Mr. Haydon. "I see nothing else that we can do."