His mind was made up,
his plan of action decided.
The scratching of the burglar's tool upon the glass ceased. Already
he had smeared treacle over the square of glass he intended to
remove and had covered it with paper so as to be able to take it out
easily and in one piece without the risk of falling fragments
betraying him.
Through the gap thus made he thrust his arm and made sure there were
no alarms fitted and no obstacles in the way of his easy entrance.
Cautiously he unfastened the window and cautiously and silently
lifted the sash, and when he had done so he paused and listened for
a space to make sure no one was stirring and that no alarm had been
caused within the house.
Still very cautiously and with the utmost precaution to avoid making
even the least noise, he put one knee upon the window-sill,
preparatory to climbing in, and as he did so Dunn touched him lightly
on the shoulder.
"Well, my man, what are you up to?" he said softly. And without a
word, without giving the least warning, the burglar, a man evidently
of determination and resource, swung round and aimed at Dunn's head
a tremendous blow with the heavy iron jemmy he held in his right
hand.
But Dunn was not unprepared for an attack and those bright, keen
eyes of his seemed able to see as well in the dark as in the light.
He threw up his left hand and caught the other's wrist before that
deadly blow he aimed could descend and at the same instant he
dashed his own clenched fist full into the burglar's face.
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