But through some strange inadvertence, apparently, the window was not fastened, and much to his relief he had no difficulty in lifting it. He was as careful as possible, fearing lest he might stumble over some article, and by the noise betray his presence. What if there was a dog inside? This thought brought alarm to the burglar. In that case his visit would probably be a failure. He remembered, however, with a feeling of relief, that he had seen no dog about during his visit to the store during the day. Now that he had passed through the window, and was fairly in the store, he looked round for the money drawer. He had not seen the safe, or probably he might not have entered the store at all, for he was not expert in breaking open safes, and at any rate it would be a matter of time and difficulty. So he was looking about when, as he passed by the bed, he felt himself seized by the leg. Evidently the sleeper had awakened and discovered his presence. Burns got down on his knees and grasped the recumbent figure by the throat. "Lie still, or I'll choke you!" he said fiercely. But as he spoke he felt the rough beard of a man, and with dismay he realized that he had tackled a more formidable foe than the boy for whom he was prepared. He felt himself seized with an iron grasp. "I've got you, you rascally burglar!" were the words he heard, and gave himself up for lost. "Who are you?" he asked faintly. "I am Luke Robbins, and I know you of old. You are Tom Burns!" CHAPTER XXXI THE ADVERTISEMENT If there was anyone of whom Tom Burns stood in fear it was Luke Robbins. When he found himself in the grasp of his dreaded enemy, he grew weak with terror. It was no longer a question of successful robbery. It was a matter of personal safety. "Well, what have you to say for yourself?" demanded Luke, tightening his grasp. "Have mercy on me, Mr. Robbins! Don't kill me!" ejaculated Burns, half choked. "What did you come here for?" "I--I had no money, and----" "You thought you could get some here?" "Ye-es," faltered Burns. "You thought you would be more than a match for the boy. Well, you have no boy to deal with." "I know that very well," confessed Burns. "How long have you been in Oreville?" "I only came this morning." "You have improved your time," said Luke dryly. "You have stolen a gold watch, besides making this attempt at robbery." Tom Burns could not deny it, though he was surprised at Luke's knowledge. "Hand over that watch!" said Luke in a tone of authority. "Will you let me go if I do?" "I will make no conditions with you. Hand over the watch!" Burns drew it from his inside pocket and handed it over. "Humph! So far so good. Now how about that dollar you took to buy eggs?" "It is the only money I have, except a few pennies. Please let me keep it." "If I tell what you have done to the miners you won't need any more money," said Luke grimly. "Why not?" asked Burns, trembling.