Now my restlessness so grew upon me that, some time
past midnight, not having made any attempt to prepare for sleep, I
arose, went quietly down the stair and out at the front door, to see if
I could find more peace in the open air. I sat down on the grass with my
back against one of the big oaks, and so continued brooding moodily over
my affairs, confused as they had now become.
By this time every one of the household had retired. I was surprised,
therefore, when I saw a faint streak of light from one of the windows
flash out across the lawn. Not wishing to intrude, I rose quietly and
changed my position, passing around the tree. Almost at that instant I
saw the figure of a man appear from the shrubbery and walk directly
toward the house, apparently headed for the window from which emerged
the light.
I watched him advance, and when I saw him reach the heavily barred
trellis which ran up to the second gallery, I felt confirmed in my
suspicion that he was a burglar. Approaching carefully in the shadow, I
made a rapid run at him, and as his head was turned at the time, managed
to catch him about the neck by an arm. His face, thus thrown back, was
illuminated by the flare of light.
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