I want to scream , but I wo n't till I see that it really is some one , '' thought Gwen , while her heart beat fast and her eyes were fixed on the door , straining to see through the gloom . The steps drew nearer , paused on the threshold , and then a head appeared as the door noiselessly swung wider open . A man 's head in a fur cap , but it was neither papa nor Pat nor Uncle Ed . Poor Gwen would have called out then , but her voice was gone , and she could only lie back , looking , mute and motionless . A tiny spire of flame sprung up and flickered for a moment on the tall dark figure in the doorway , a big man with a beard , and in his hand something that glittered . Was it a pistol or a dagger or a dark lantern ? thought the girl , as the glimmer died away , and the shadows returned to terrify her . The man seemed to look about him keenly for a moment , then vanished , and the steps went down the hall to the front door , which was opened from within and some one admitted quietly . Whispers were heard , and then feet approached again , accompanied by a gleam of light . `` Now I must scream ! '' thought Gwen ; and scream she did with all her might , as two men entered , one carrying a lantern , the other a bright tin can . `` Boys ! Robbers ! Fire ! Tramps ! Oh , do wake up ! '' cried Gwen , frantically pulling Mark by the hair , and Bob and Tony by the legs , as the quickest way of rousing them . Then there was a scene ! The boys sprung up and rubbed their eyes , the girls hid theirs and began to shriek , while the burglars laughed aloud , and poor Gwen , quite worn out , fainted away on the rug . It was all over in a minute , however ; for Mark had his wits about him , and his first glance at the man with the lantern allayed his fears .
`` Hullo , Uncle XXXXX !
Bob Ed Gwen Mark Pat Tony Tramps dagger first minute