“Say, kid,” he responded, “where does the old man sleep?”

“That is none of your business,” answered Ben manfully.

“You’d better look out, or I’ll give you a lesson. I know well enough. He sleeps in that room.”

“What do you want with him?”

“I want that gold. I am sure it is in his chamber.”

“Go right down that ladder, or you’ll be sorry.”

“I’ll throw you out of that window when I get into the house.”

“I have given you warning. Will you go?”

“No, I won’t. What do you take me for? You’re the most impudent kid I ever met.”

Ben wasted no more words upon the intruder, but, thrusting the muzzle of the gun out of the window, fired.