While the Stables Burned

After Liddy had gone I began to think about the men at the stable, and
I grew more and more anxious. Halsey was aimlessly knocking the
billiard-balls around in the billiard-room, and I called to him.

"Halsey," I said when he sauntered in, "is there a policeman in
Casanova?"

"Constable," he said laconically. "Veteran of the war, one arm; in
office to conciliate the G. A. R. element. Why?"

"Because I am uneasy to-night." And I told him what Liddy had said.
"Is there any one you can think of who could be relied on to watch the
outside of the house to-night?"

"We might get Sam Bohannon from the club," he said thoughtfully. "It
wouldn't be a bad scheme. He's a smart darky, and with his mouth shut
and his shirt-front covered, you couldn't see him a yard off in the
dark."

Halsey conferred with Alex, and the result, in an hour, was Sam. His
instructions were simple. There had been numerous attempts to break
into the house; it was the intention, not to drive intruders away, but
to capture them. If Sam saw anything suspicious outside, he was to tap
at the east entry, where Alex and Halsey were to alternate in keeping
watch through the night.

It was with a comfortable feeling of security that I went to bed that
night. The door between Gertrude's rooms and mine had been opened,
and, with the doors into the hall bolted, we were safe enough.
Although Liddy persisted in her belief that doors would prove no
obstacles to our disturbers.