Although he walked quietly up the veranda steps, he used no especial caution in opening the front window. It slid easily up, and the burglar stepped over the sill, heedless of the fact that his muddy boots made huge tracks on the light carpet. He struck several matches in quick succession, blowing each out and throwing it on the floor; he then deliberately pocketed two or three articles of value which lay on the center-table. An old silver card-case, an antique snuff-box, and a small silver dish were appropriated; and then turning to a white marble bust of a foolish-looking lady in a big hat, which stood on a mottled-green pedestal, he calmly knocked it over, and laughed as it crashed into a thousand pieces. This sound was quickly followed by a few short, sharp yelps from above, which developed into a loud and ferocious barking. A smile of intense satisfaction spread over the burglar's features; he laid his hatchet carefully in the middle of the floor, removed his old felt hat and placed it half-way between the hatchet and the window, and then went out the way he came in. On the steps he laid gently the snuff-box and card-case, and dropped the silver tray on the grass in the yard; then turning for a last glance, to make sure that the family were aroused, and seeing flickering lights in the windows, he pulled a cloth cap from his pocket, put it on his head, and went back home, still chuckling. Inside of Primrose Hall all was confusion. Cloppy's frantic and continued barking had awakened everybody, and though all were convinced that burglars were in the house, none dared go down-stairs to investigate. The Flint sisters, though scared out of their wits, possessed a certain sub-consciousness that was pleased at this opportunity of donning their fire-gowns and best caps. The servants were variously frightened according to their respective dispositions; and Ladybird was quite in her element, for to her any excitement was pleasurable, no matter what might be its cause. "Let me go down! Let me go down, aunty!" she cried, dancing about in the upper hall. "Be quiet, child! Of course you can't go down; there is probably a whole gang of burglars, and they'd kill you and then come up for us. Look out for Cloppy; don't let him get down." "But I don't hear any noise down there now, aunty; I think the burglars have gone: Cloppy scared them away by his barking." "Stay where you are, Ladybird," said Miss Priscilla, sternly. "Matthew, go down-stairs and see what caused that commotion." "Yes, ma'am," said Matthew; but his old knees were shaking with fear, and he made no motion to carry out his mistress's orders. "Come on, Matthew," cried Ladybird, grasping his hand, "don't be afraid; I'll go with you," and before Miss Flint could stop her, Ladybird was dancing down-stairs, dragging the old man with her. The child had provided herself with a candle, and hand in hand, she and Matthew reached the parlor door and looked in.