"Look out for yourself!" said Dean, in a tone of warning. "Come nearer, and I fire!"
Then for the first time the intruder noticed that the boy was armed. He drew back cautiously.
Just then Rawson asked sleepily, "What's the matter, Dean?"
"Wake up, Rawson, quick!" said Dean.
Ben Rawson opened his eyes, and took in the situation at once. He sprang from the bed, and placed himself between the thief and the door.
"Let me go!" exclaimed the intruder, as he made a dash forward, only to be seized by the powerful miner.
"Now let me know who you are, and whether you have taken anything," he said, resolutely. "Dean, let us have some light."
The thief struggled to escape, but in vain. His captor was stronger than himself. Dean lighted the gas, and both scrutinized the thief closely. Then a light flashed upon Dean.
"I know him in spite of his false hair and beard," he said. "It's Peter Kirby."