The latter, turning at this unexpected attack, threw him off. He was alarmed at first, but when he saw that his assailant was only a boy he laughed harshly. "Why, you little bantam!" he exclaimed, "how dare you interfere with me?" "You had better leave the room at once," said Gerald, undaunted. "If you don't——" "Well, if I don't!" repeated the intruder, mockingly. "You'll make me, perhaps? Clear out of my way! Have you got a watch or money about your clothes?" This last was addressed to Abel. "Don't kill me, Mr. Burglar!" wailed Abel, ready to cry. "I'll give you all I have." "Then be quick about it! Where are your clothes?" "In the closet." "Then get them, and don't waste any time about it." "Don't do anything of the sort, Abel!" said Gerald. "This man shall not rob you!" "Why, you impudent young rascal!" exclaimed the intruder, fiercely. "I have a great mind to wring your neck!" "I tell you once more to leave the house!" This was too much for the irascible burglar. He seized Gerald, and, throwing him down, pressed his knee on his breast. Gerald struggled as well as he could, but he was only a boy, and his assailant was a strong man. What harm would have been done to him cannot be known. Abel, so far from helping him, stood by, trembling. Finally, in a paroxysm of fear, he ran from the room and locked himself in the small room which had been occupied by Gerald. "Now what shall I do to you?" demanded the burglar between his closed teeth, glaring at his prostrate victim. Gerald was not called upon to reply, for there was help at hand. A tall, muscular figure, arrayed in night-costume, suddenly dashed into the room, seized the triumphant burglar, and, pulling him back with irresistible strength, threw him upon the floor with such force that he thought his back was broken. "What——!" ejaculated the ruffian, in mingled surprise and dismay. Looking up he saw the blacksmith bending over him. "What are you doing, you scoundrel?" he cried, apparently preparing for a second attack. "Who are you?" growled the intruder. "I'm not a boy, and I'm more than a match for you!" "Let me go!" said the other, beginning to find a retreat advisable. "Not till I see who you are. Gerald, light the lamp; I want to take a look at this man's face." The burglar struggled to rise, but he was as helpless in the grasp of the stalwart blacksmith as Gerald had been in his. Gerald lighted the lamp and held it near the ill-favored countenance of the visitor. "Aha, I know you!" said Alonzo Crane. "You are the man who broke into a store in Hillsdale last week. You got away from us then, but now I mean to have a settlement with you." "Let me go this time and I won't take anything." "I don't think you will. As long as I am round you'd find it a hard job to rob this house. You thought you had only boys to deal with, but I'm too large a boy for you to handle." "If you don't let me go I'll fix you some day."