"Some one is in the barn," said the voice of the old man. "See here, the lock is broken off."
In a moment, in spite of Tom's efforts, the door was pushed open, and the bull dog, with loud, deep yelps, sprang in.
Tom kept well behind the door, and pulled it close against him. The old woman held up a lantern, and the sergeant and our friend Diggs were both discovered by the man and the dog at the same time.
The dog announced his discovery by angry growls, and his master, a man about fifty years of age, by closely examining an old, ugly musket in his hand.
"Hulloa, you thieves; I've cotched you now?" he said, advancing.
"Good evening, sir," said Swords.
"What are you doing up there, you scamps?"
"Roosting," was the cool response.
"Shoot them!" said the old woman, holding up the lantern.
"Oh, no! don't, grandpa," said the sergeant.