"And where is Abel?"
"I don't know. I think he went into the next room."
"Let him stay there! He is about as brave as a mouse. And hark you, Gerald, bring down my clothes. I have a revolver in my pocket that I may have occasion to use."
The ruffian was thoroughly cowed, and made no outcry when he was thrust into the closet.
It was remarkable that Mrs. Lane should have slept through all this disturbance without awaking, but she was a sound sleeper. In the morning Gerald went out to summon assistance, and the burglar was conveyed to the lock-up, from which he was in the afternoon transferred to the county jail.
It appears that he had gained admittance to the house by climbing the lightning-rod to a balcony just outside the window of the large room occupied by Abel. The latter was so thoroughly frightened by the events of the night that he voluntarily proposed to return to the small bedroom, and Gerald was able again to occupy his own room. Mrs. Lane protested against the change, but Abel declared with emphasis that he would not again sleep in the large room.
"I wouldn't do it for a dollar a night!" he declared.
Gerald acquiesced in the new arrangement, and felt grateful to the burglar for having been the means of restoring to him his own room.
A little later than he anticipated Mr. Crane left Portville.
"Good-by, Melindy," he said. "I've enjoyed my visit, and the burglar made it more lively than I anticipated. When are you coming to Hillsdale to see us?"