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Only my maid was up, and she had remained in her room at the top of the house until I needed her services.

I sat until after eleven in this room, absorbed in a book.

Then I walked round to see that all was right before I went upstairs.

It was my custom to do this myself, for, as I have explained, Sir Eustace was not always to be trusted.

I went into the kitchen, the butler's pantry, the gun-room, the billiard-room, the drawing-room, and finally the dining-room.

"As I approached the window, which is covered with thick curtains, I suddenly felt the wind blow upon my face and realized that it was open.

I flung the curtain aside and found myself face to face with a broad-shouldered elderly man, who had just stepped into the room.

The window is a long French one, which really forms a door leading to the lawn.

I held my bedroom candle lit in my hand, and, by its light, behind the first man I saw two others, who were in the act of entering.

I stepped back, but the fellow was on me in an instant.

He caught me first by the wrist and then by the throat.

I opened my mouth to scream, but he struck me a savage blow with his fist over the eye, and felled me to the ground.

I must have been unconscious for a few minutes, for when I came to myself, I found that they had torn down the bell-rope, and had secured me tightly to the oaken chair which stands at the head of the dining-table.

I was so firmly bound that I could not move, and a handkerchief round my mouth prevented me from uttering a sound.

"It was at this instant that my unfortunate husband entered the room.

He had evidently heard some suspicious sounds, and he came prepared for such a scene as he found.

He was dressed in nightshirt and trousers, with his favorite blackthorn cudgel in his hand.

He rushed at the burglars, but another-it was an elderly man-stooped, picked the poker out of the grate and struck him a horrible blow as he passed.

He fell with a groan and never moved again.

I fainted once more, but again it could only have been for a very few minutes during which I was insensible.

When I opened my eyes I found that they had collected the silver from the sideboard, and they had drawn a bottle of wine which stood there.

Each of them had a glass in his hand.

I have already told you, have I not, that one was elderly, with a beard, and the others young, hairless lads.

They might have been a father with his two sons.

They talked together in whispers.

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