He was dressed in his
shirt and trousers, with his favourite blackthorn cudgel in his
hand. He rushed at one of the burglars, but another -- it was
the elderly man -- stooped, picked the poker out of the grate,
and struck him a horrible blow as he passed. He fell without
a groan, and never moved again. I fainted once more, but again
it could only have been a very few minutes during which I was
insensible. When I opened my eyes I found that they had
collected the silver from the sideboard, and they had drawn
a bottle of wine which stood there. Each of them had a glass
in his hand. I have already told you, have I not, that one
was elderly, with a beard, and the others young, hairless lads.
They might have been a father with his two sons. They talked
together in whispers. Then they came over and made sure that
I was still securely bound. Finally they withdrew, closing
the window after them. It was quite a quarter of an hour
before I got my mouth free. When I did so my screams brought
the maid to my assistance. The other servants were soon alarmed,
and we sent for the local police, who instantly communicated
with London.
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