“Mr. Burton thought it would be safest there.”
“Did he?” chuckled the robber. “Then he’ll find his mistake.”
Tom raised the trap-door and disclosed a staircase leading down into a subterranean vault.
“I can’t see,” he said. “Will you lend me your lantern?” referring to the dark-lantern which the burglar carried.
“Oh, that will be all right. I’ll go down with you.”
“I wish you would,” said Tom. “I don’t like to go done here alone.”
“TOM RAISED THE TRAP-DOOR TO ALLOW THE BURGLAR TO STEP INTO THE CELLAR.”
“A coward!” thought the ruffian. “All the better for me. I thought from his looks that he was a bold, spirited boy, but appearances are deceitful. A pretty guardian he is for property.”
This was precisely the opinion which Tom desired his companion to have of him, as it was necessary for the success of his plan that his suspicion should be disarmed, and he be taken off his guard.