"I don't think you will. As long as I am round you'd find it a hard job to rob this house. You thought you had only boys to deal with, but I'm too large a boy for you to handle."
"If you don't let me go I'll fix you some day."
"That'll be day after to-morrow, I reckon. Gerald, do you know where there is a clothes-line?"
"Yes, Mr. Crane."
"Then get it, and I'll bind this man so that he can't do any more harm."
Gerald took the lamp, went down-stairs, and soon returned with the clothes-line.
"Now, if you'll help me, I'll tie this fellow so he can't do any mischief."
Despite his desperate struggles the intruder was bound hand and foot. He almost foamed at the mouth in his ungovernable anger, but it did no good.
"Now," said the blacksmith, "I am going to put him in the closet and lock the door. If you don't mind, Gerald, I'll exchange rooms with you. I will sleep here, and you can go up to my room in the attic. I think, my friend, you'll be safe till morning."
"This is Abel's room, Mr. Crane."