While the laughter and fun were at their height there was a sound on the
veranda, and they all stopped to listen.
Ted instinctively turned to where Farnsworth was sitting alone in the
corner, for there had been no presents for him, and saw him sitting up,
listening intently.
Being a guilty man, or, at least, aware that he was being pursued, he
was alert.
"What's the row out there?" asked the major, who was loath to have the
evening's fun disturbed by outsiders.
"Don't know," said Ted. "Sounded like some one walking on the veranda
and trying the door."
He had no sooner spoken when the door was thrust open and four men
sprang into the room and looked around.
At the same instant, Farnsworth leaped to his feet, drawing his revolver
and backing into the center of the room.
Farnsworth was as pale as paper, but his eyes flashed fire as he glanced
swiftly around.
Apparently there was no way of escape, for the intruders barred the only
outside door.
The sudden entrance into the brilliant light had temporarily blinded the
men, so that they stood uncertainly for a few moments, looking from one
to the other of the figures that almost filled the room.
Major Caruthers now stepped in front of them, his face red with anger.
"What do you mean by intruding on me like this?" he thundered.
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