from being robbed.

It was in the winter time. The family was having tea in the dining
room at the back of the house, and Billy and I were lying in the
hall watching what was going on. There was no one in the front of
the house. The hall lamp was lighted, and the hall door closed, but
not locked. Some sneak thieves, who had been doing a great deal
of mischief in Fairport, crept up the steps and into the house, and,
opening the door of the hall closet laid their hands on the boys'
winter overcoats.

They thought no one saw them, but they were mistaken. Bella had
been having a nap upstairs and had not come down when the tea
bell rang. Now she was hopping down on her way to the dining
room, and hearing the slight noise below, stopped and looked
through the railing. Any pet creature that lives in a nice family
hates a dirty, shabby person. Bella knew that those beggar boys
had no business in that closet.

"Bad boys!" she screamed, angrily. "Get out get out! Here, Joe,
Joe, Beautiful Joe. Come quick. Billy, Billy, rats Hie out, Jim, sic
'im boys. Where's the police. Call the police!"

Billy and I sprang up and pushed open the door leading to the front
hall. The thieves in a terrible fright were just rushing down the
front steps. One of them got away, but the other fell, and I caught
him by the coat, till Mr. Morris ran and put his hand on his
shoulder.

He was a young fellow about Jack's age, but not one-half so manly,