But for the opinion he had formed of our hero’s simplicity, the burglar would hardly have suffered Tom to leave him. As it was his contempt made him feel secure.
“Well, be quick then,” he said. “I can’t wait here all night.”
He sprung up the stairs, and the first intimation the astonished ruffian had of his design was conveyed in the slamming to of the trap-door.
“Confusion!” he muttered. “The young rogue has outwitted me.”
He sprung forward, but in such haste that he tripped over a bale and measured his length on the floor, dropping his lantern at the same time. His temper by no means improved by this accident, he picked himself up, and springing up the narrow staircase, tried to raise the trap-door.
But Tom had drawn two bolts which fastened it above, and moreover, was dragging a heavy box to place upon it, so that the entrapped person found himself utterly unable to lift it.
“Open the door!” he shouted from below in mingled rage and fright.
“I’d rather not!” Tom shouted back in reply.
“If you don’t I’ll make it the worst for you, you young villain.”
“You’ll have to get at me first,” said Tom in a tone of aggravation.
The burglar realized that so far from being simple he had to deal with a boy who was brave and quick-witted.
“Confusion!” he muttered to himself. “If I am caught here it will ruin me.”
“Better not,” retorted Tom. “It will rouse the neighbors. Besides, I’ve got a revolver too.”
“I couldn’t get at it while you stood over me with a knife.”
“He’s got me at an advantage,” thought the villain. “I must change my tone.”
“Let me up,” he pleaded, “and I’ll go off without taking your gold.”
“I don’t mean that you shall,” said Tom coolly. “You can’t get at it.”
“Then you deceived me,” exclaimed the baffled villain.
“Of course I did, and would do it again.”
“Are you going to let me out?” demanded the burglar, knocking furiously at the trap-door.
There was no doubt about it. The burglar had been completely outwitted and trapped by a boy. That was the most humiliating part of it. If he could have got at our hero then, there is little doubt that he would have put him to death without a moment’s hesitation. But luckily for Tom there was a good plank flooring between, and a trap-door which was secured by two strong bolts. But Tom did not feel quite secure. There was an egress from the cellar at one side. If the ruffian should discover this, his peril would be extreme.