"
"I beg pardon if I disturbed you," said Ben politely.
"Well, that don't do no good, your apologizin'. Jest lay down and
get to sleep in a hurry, or I'll know the reason why."
"All right, sir," said Ben submissively.
"What's the name of that chap that's with you?" continued Jack.
"It's Jake Bradley."
"He's a sensible man, he is. He lays down and goes to sleep, while
you're trampin' round the room and lookin' out of doors. You won't
see nothin' to pay you."
"I think you're right, sir. I'll lie down and go to sleep."
"You'd better. Me and the old woman can't be kept awake all night."
When Ben had resumed his place on the floor, the intruder descended
the ladder. Though it would have been easy enough to execute his
plan of robbery now, he evidently preferred to wait till both the
travelers should be asleep.
It was not true, as he had said, that he had heard Ben moving about.
In fact, it had been a surprise to him to find the boy up, but this
afforded a convenient and plausible pretext for his intrusion, and
he had availed himself of it.
CHAPTER XIX.
BEN'S MIDNIGHT EXCURSION.
When Jack Carter went downstairs it was his intention to wait from
half an hour to an hour, and then to make another visit to his
lodgers.
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