“They will be here in a moment or two,” said Ben. “How shall we receive them?”
Paddy chuckled.
“Arrah,” said he, “it’ll be no great task to upset the landlord and his fat wife, even though they have a bludgeon with them.”
“Don’t forget,” answered Ben, “that there remain the two down-stairs. If the landlord fails they will not long be idle.”
“Right,” agreed Paddy. “But, sure, we have no call to be afeered of them, either. Let them come, and it’s a warm reception we will try and give them.”
Then they waited in silence for further developments. Ben listened intently for the approach of the pair who were stealing upon them from somewhere in the darkness. The lad had noticed no doors in the room, save the one in the floor, and was puzzled to know just how they were to be approached.
However, both he and Paddy Burk drew on their clothing while they waited; and when this was done, an idea struck Ben.
“We’d better have a light ready, so that we may get a sight of them when they arrive,” said he.
“But that would throw us wide open to a shot from hiding,” protested Paddy.
“We’ll arrange that,” spoke Ben.