He balanced himself on the top of the stonework, as deftly as ah acrobat; then he caught the edge of the balcony with the big end of his broom, and was preparing himself for a final spring when another actor came upon the scene.
A buxom servant girl appeared at the open window. She was armed with a mop.
Seeing that Peace was about to scale the balcony, she threw out the mop much the same as a Zulu does his spear, and delivered such a terrific blow on Peace’s face that he was hurled back, and fell upon the gravel path in front in a state of insensibility.
The old woman and her maid were masters of the field. Their foe remained prostrate and helpless in front of the citadel.
Again the cries “Help! Police!” rose in the air. They resounded far and near.
The servant girl now brought to the window a pail of dirty water, which she threw over the vanquished burglar.
This bad the effect of restoring him to consciousness. He made an effort to rise, but he was so dizzy, so utterly prostrated, that he was almost helpless for a time.
The mistress and her maid had the prudence not to sally forth till assistance had arrived, for they were by no means certain as to the real state of the enemy. He might, after all, only be shamming, and it would not be advisable to risk an engagement in the open field.
They had recourse, therefore, to “sound the alarm,” by repeated screams and cries for assistance.
Much to their delight, a constable opened the garden gate, and flashed his bull’s-eye in all directions.
By the light of his lantern he discovered Peace stretched on the garden walk.
“Now, then, get up, man,” said the constable to Peace.
“I can’t,” exclaimed the burglar. “I’m all but killed by those she dragons.”
“You can’t lie here all night. Get up, I say. What have you been doing?”
“Oh, don’t ask me,” said Peace, in a whining hypocritical voice. “Those infamous women!”
“Don’t listen to what he says, policeman,” interrupted the old lady. “He was breaking into the house, but we caught him just in time――only just in time.”
“Certainly. Take him in custody. Of course I charge him――the dirty blackguard!”
Another constable now presented himself, and the two carried Peace into the back parlour of the little cottage.