Two dusky shapes stood by the bedhead, and their position with regard to the small table with many drawers standing by Miss Gastonguay's pillow speedily revealed their errand to Derrice. In her frequent meetings with people possessed of an abundance of this world's goods, she had heard stories of burglars and their ways. She knew at once, without the slightest speculation, that here were two scoundrels tempted by the lonely situation of French Cross, the wealth of its mistress, and her well-known carelessness with regard to surrounding herself with able protectors. Prosperity and Tribulation were no better than two children. These men were resolved to possess themselves of some of Miss Gastonguay's valuables. Derrice was nearly blind with indignation. Her whole body shook. Would these men dare to lay unholy hands on the property of one so good and generous? They had probably chloroformed her before they began their work of rifling the drawers. She sprang forward. Oh, for a weapon with which to punish the vile invaders! Nothing came to her hand but a silver bedroom candlestick gleaming on a table by the door. She seized it, rushed forward, and, with a cry of rage, precipitated herself on the two men. They had indeed been trying to prolong Miss Gastonguay's natural slumber into an artificial one that would last until they had had time to examine the room, but just at the moment of Derrice's appearance a singular change had come over them. They had been doing their work with the rapidity of lightning. The contents of all the drawers but one had been transferred to their pockets, but, at the discovery of the few valueless articles in this drawer, they had exchanged one amazed glance, and then as quickly as they had taken their booty they returned it. Money and jewelry went noiselessly back, the lantern was turned with a rapid flash on Miss Gastonguay, the handkerchief was lifted from her face, and they were just about to beat a retreat from the room, when Derrice threw herself on them and inflicted a smart blow with the candlestick on the head of the one nearest her. Prepared for all contingencies, the one attacked threw a somewhat comical glance at his associate. Old people slept lightly. They had not thought of drugging this young healthy person, indeed they had not planned to enter her room, and, calmly putting her aside, they vanished into the hall. Derrice turned her attention to Miss Gastonguay, who was sitting up in bed, stupidly ejaculating, "What--what's all this? Is that your husband, Derrice Mercer? Who's pounding below?" "No, no," shrieked the girl, "it is the pony. They have put out their lantern. They are thieves and robbers; come, let us try to catch them,--I cannot leave you," and she half dragged, half conducted her bewildered friend to the hall.