Page:The Lark - E Nesbit, 1922.djvu/279

280 Here, take that!" His tone was so fierce that Lucilla cowered on the mat in the darkness, expecting the hard-soft sound of a blow.

But what she heard was a gasp, and then, after the gasp a pause, and then: "Well, if ever you gets into a hole, I hopes someone'll be the gentleman to you as you've been to me to-night."

"Cut all that," said Thornton. "You came in by the staircase window, I suppose?"

"Yes, sir, up the ivy."

"Well, I'll let you out—this way."

They went out by the French window. Lucilla turned to go upstairs, but someone was coming down. A light at the top of the stairs. She backed out into the open doorway of the kitchen, and Mr. Tombs passed within a yard of her and into the drawing-room. She heard Mr. Thornton's footstep on the gravel and Mr. Tombs' voice.

"Hallo, Thornton. What's up?"

"Only a burglar," said Thornton. "I've just seen him out."

"Let him off, eh?"

"Oh well," said Thornton, "you can't be too hard on a poor beggar like that. What's he to do? The very Church itself says you may steal rather than starve."

"Yes," said Tombs, "what is a chap to do? Let's have a cigar and you tell me all about it. Quite an adventure for quiet Cedar Court."

"All right," said the Mr. Thornton who was called Bill.

"I only hope we haven't roused the house. I'll get my cigar case."

As he passed Lucilla's door he breathed, "All right—he's gone."

So he never knew that Lucilla had been prepared to defend him with the poker.