As I picked him up, he began to quiver, and I could feel his heart thumping, but he seemed to appreciate the necessity for silence, and licked my face noiselessly.

I switched off the light and opened the door.

There was a lamp burning on the landing, and I stepped directly to the top of the stairs.

Except that there was a faint light somewhere upon the ground floor, I could see nothing, but, as I stood peering, the sound of a stealthy movement, followed by the low grumble of utterance, rose unmistakably to my ears.  Under my left arm Nobby stiffened notably.

For a moment I stood listening and thinking furiously....

It was plain that there was more than one visitor, for burglars do not talk to themselves, and Discretion suggested that I should seek assistance before descending.  Jonah was out of Town, the men-servants slept in the basement, the telephone was downstairs.  Only Berry remained.

The faint chink of metal meeting metal and a stifled laugh decided me.

With the utmost caution I stole to the door of my sister’s room and turned the handle.  As I glided into the chamber—­

“Who’s that?” came in a startled whisper.

Before I could answer, there was a quick rustle, a switch clicked, and there was Daphne, propped on a white arm, looking at me with wide eyes and parted lips.  Her beautiful dark hair was tumbling about her breast and shoulders.  Impatiently she brushed it clear of her face.

“What is it, Boy?”

I laid a finger upon my lips.

“There’s somebody downstairs.  Wake Berry.”

Slowly her husband rolled on to his left side and regarded me with one eye.

“What,” he said, “is the meaning of this intrusion?”

“Don’t be a fool,” I whispered.  “The house is being burgled.”

“Gurgled?”

“Burgled, you fool.”

“No such word,” said Berry.  “What you mean is ‘burglariously rifled.’ 
And then you’re wrong.  Why, there’s Nobby.”

I could have stamped with vexation.

My sister took up the cudgels.

“Don’t lie there,” she said.  “Get up and see.”

“What?” said her husband.

“What’s going on.”

Berry swallowed before replying.  Then—­

“How many are there?” he demanded.

“You poisonous idiot,” I hissed, “I tell you——­”

“Naughty temper,” said Berry.  “I admit I’m in the wrong but there you are.  You see, it all comes of not wearing rings.  If I did, I should have remembered that a wire came from Jonah just before dinner—­it’s in my dinner-jacket—­saying he was coming up late to-night with Harry, and that if the latter couldn’t get in at the Club, he should bring him on here.  He had the decency to add ‘Don’t sit up.’”

Daphne and I exchanged glances of withering contempt.

“And where,” said my sister, “is Harry going to sleep?”