It seemed to me that the gallant policeman assigned me a more dangerous post than the one he reserved for himself; but after all, as I had more interest than he in preventing the robber from entering my house, I went upstairs and lay in ambush, having taken care to arm myself with the strongest stick I could find in the hall.
I remained at my post of observation for a good quarter of an hour.
Tired of awaiting my burglar, who gave no more sign of life than a corpse, I returned at last to the kitchen to see what success the policeman had met with. He had caught nobody.
——“I can’t see anything of him, sir; the rascal must have got away.”
——“But how?” I exclaimed; “burglars have not the power of rendering themselves invisible like Mahdis.”
——“I can’t make it out at all,” replied the worthy guardian of the public peace evidently embarrassed. And taking up his lantern, that he had placed on the kitchen table, he wished me “Good-night” and retired.
——“Did you see anyone or hear any noise,” I asked the servant.
——“No, sir.”
——“You have had a fright all the same; you are looking quite excited.”
——“Oh! yes, sir, I was rather frightened,” said she.