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“I’ll go down and fasten the door after him,” volunteered Hayes, and the old man nodded. Outside, on the landing, they could hear the blows of the pickaxe more distinctly. Suddenly, above the clangour, rang out close and sharp the two reports of Jack’s double-barrel. He had selected a window commanding the attack, and had fired point-blank down into the group of men.

Shrieks and groans and curses testified to the accuracy of the young man’s aim, and the sound of blows ceased. Harold and Dick ran rapidly downstairs. The latter unbarred the front door.

“Don’t you run a fearful risk if you are seen?” inquired the American.

“Of course I do,” returned the brave lad, without a tremor in his voice; “but somebody’s got to take the chance; we can’t defend the house forever; and I wouldn’t miss this opportunity of nabbing the whole gang for a thousand pounds.”

He opened the door and sped out into the night. He was out of sight in a moment, and, as far as Harold could judge, he had not been observed. Again the blows of the pickaxe rang out from the rear of the house.

Hayes closed the door and replaced the heavy bar. Then he turned to remount the stairs, and met Polly, who was standing near the top with a candle in her hand.

She was quite composed now, but very pale. He tried to ask if she had recovered, but she cut him short impatiently.

“There is nothing the matter with me. What is the meaning of all this uproar and–and the firing?”

For at this moment the twin reports of Jack’s breech-loader again echoed through the house, this time it was answered by a fusilade from below.

There was nothing to be gained by concealment, and Harold told her the whole story in a few words.

“How prompt and clever of you!” she said; “You have saved all our lives.”

Her praise was very sweet to him, but there was no time to enjoy it now.

“Where are you going?” she asked, as he turned again to spring up the stairs.

I am going to my room for my revolver,” he answered. “I may have use for it before this is over.”

“Do,” she replied. “I will wait for you here.” Haves hurried on.

Jack was in the guest’s room. The young Irishman had selected that window, as it commanded the little door against which the brunt of the attack had hitherto been directed. Every pane was shattered, and walls and ceiling showed the effect of the volley that had been directed against him, but the young fellow stood his ground uninjured. “Don’t mind me,” he said, in answer to Harold’s inquiry. “I’m all right, and can hold this fort til morning if they don’t get ladders. I fancy I’ve sickened them of trying that door below.”

Harold hastily grasped his revolver and went His idea was to stand in the passage near the smoking-room, and defend the place should the door give way; for he did not believe that timber had ever been grown to withstand such blows.

Mrs. Connolly put her head out of the nursery door as he passed. Her husband had told her of the position of affairs.

“Is that you, Mr. Hayes?” she whispered. “Is Jack hurt?”

“Jack is quite safe,” answered the young American. “Are the children very much frightened?”

“Not as long as I am with them,” the old lady answered. “And Dick–what of him?”

“Dick is all right too,” replied Harold. He could not tell the poor woman that her boy was out in the open country without a wall between him and the ruffians.

Mrs. Connolly drew back into the nursery to take the post assigned her–assuredly not the easiest on that terrible night–to listen to the doubtful sounds from without, and to support, by her own constancy, the courage of her children.

Harold found Miss Connolly in the hall where he had left her.

“What do you intend to do?” she asked.