“Yes, that is true; but you don't know how strongly he was tempted.”
“He looks like a hard ticket. I didn't like to give him a bed, but we can't well refuse travelers, if they have money to pay their reckoning. I made him pay in advance.”
“Pray, lose no time,” said Herbert, as another groan was heard; “I will go out and help you bring him in.”
A lantern was lit, and the whole company followed the landlord out.
“Well,” said he, throwing the light of the candle full on the sufferer's face, “you've got yourself into a fine pickle, haven't you?”
“Oh,” groaned the burglar, “if it hadn't been for that accursed boy!”
“You'd have got off with the old gentleman's money. Well, it was rather unkind to interfere.”
“Are you in much pain?” asked Herbert, bending over him.
There was something in his voice that betrayed the compassion he really felt.
The burglar looked up.