"That'll be day after to-morrow, I reckon. Gerald, do you know where there is a clothes-line?" "Yes, Mr. Crane." "Then get it, and I'll bind this man so that he can't do any more harm." Gerald took the lamp, went down-stairs, and soon returned with the clothes-line. "Now, if you'll help me, I'll tie this fellow so he can't do any mischief." Despite his desperate struggles the intruder was bound hand and foot. He almost foamed at the mouth in his ungovernable anger, but it did no good. "Now," said the blacksmith, "I am going to put him in the closet and lock the door. If you don't mind, Gerald, I'll exchange rooms with you. I will sleep here, and you can go up to my room in the attic. I think, my friend, you'll be safe till morning." "This is Abel's room, Mr. Crane." "And where is Abel?" "I don't know. I think he went into the next room." "Let him stay there! He is about as brave as a mouse. And hark you, Gerald, bring down my clothes. I have a revolver in my pocket that I may have occasion to use." The ruffian was thoroughly cowed, and made no outcry when he was thrust into the closet. It was remarkable that Mrs. Lane should have slept through all this disturbance without awaking, but she was a sound sleeper. In the morning Gerald went out to summon assistance, and the burglar was conveyed to the lock-up, from which he was in the afternoon transferred to the county jail. It appears that he had gained admittance to the house by climbing the lightning-rod to a balcony just outside the window of the large room occupied by Abel. The latter was so thoroughly frightened by the events of the night that he voluntarily proposed to return to the small bedroom, and Gerald was able again to occupy his own room. Mrs. Lane protested against the change, but Abel declared with emphasis that he would not again sleep in the large room. "I wouldn't do it for a dollar a night!" he declared. Gerald acquiesced in the new arrangement, and felt grateful to the burglar for having been the means of restoring to him his own room. A little later than he anticipated Mr. Crane left Portville. "Good-by, Melindy," he said. "I've enjoyed my visit, and the burglar made it more lively than I anticipated. When are you coming to Hillsdale to see us?" "It is hard for me to get away, Alonzo. I have two boys to look after and I cannot well be spared." "Come whenever it is convenient, then. I can't promise to make your visit as lively as mine has been, unless my friend the burglar manages to escape from jail." "I will go with you to the cars, Mr. Crane," said Gerald. "I wish you would," said the blacksmith, warmly. "If you ever find it in your way to come to Hillsdale, I will give you the best room in the house." "Shall I bring Abel with me?" asked Gerald, smiling. "I'm not at all particular about seein' him. You seem a good deal nearer to me than he does, even if he is a blood relation. When do you go to work?" "On Monday."