“Hold on a bit,” said he, pausing. “I'll give you some of the plunder, if you'll put up that shooting iron, and make no trouble.”
“Do you think me a villain, like yourself?” asked Herbert.
“By ——, you shall repent this,” said the robber, with an oath, and he made another attempt to enter.
Click!
There was a sharp report, but Herbert had fired in the air, and the burglar was unhurt.
“Confusion!” he exclaimed; “that will raise the house!”
Then, espying the carpet-bag, he determined to jump in, seize it, and get away before the people in the house were fairly awake. As for the pistol, that had been discharged, and he supposed that nothing was to be feared from it. But he reckoned without his host. As he put one leg over, and had all but succeeded in getting in, Herbert fired once more, this time hitting him in the shoulder. He uttered a shriek of pain, and, losing his hold, tumbled backward to the ground.
The two reports alarmed the house.
“What's the matter?” exclaimed Mr. Carroll, awakened and alarmed.
“Don't be alarmed, sir,” said Herbert. “A man just attempted to get in through the window, and I have wounded him.”