"So do I," agreed Shirley.

A clock in the house struck eight.

"I'll go to my room and get a few things, and then return to the stable," said Jimmy.

Coming downstairs, he bade the girls good-night and went away to his unusual quarters.

He went straight to Gabriel's stall.

"I'm going to stay with you to-night, old fellow," he said, patting the horse's head.

He climbed up into the loft and threw down an extra quant.i.ty of hay, which he strewed about the far corner of the stall. On this he spread a blanket he had brought with him from the house. Then he extinguished his lantern, and lay down.

He did not know how long he had been sleeping when he was awakened by the sound of the stall door rattling. Jimmy was a light sleeper. He sat up quickly and groped for the revolver he had placed beside him. With the weapon in his hand he felt more secure.

Again the door rattled. Jimmy sat perfectly still. Then there came the sound of low voices outside.

Gabriel, awakened at this hour of the night, whinnied uneasily. Jimmy rose, and slowly and quietly made his way to the animal's side, judging his position by the horse's breathing.

He laid a hand upon the animal's back, and Gabriel grew still.

Again the door rattled.

"Sounds like they were trying to find the lock," muttered Jimmy beneath his breath.

Still he made no sound.

At first he had thought of lighting his lantern, but second thought had shown him the utter foolishness of such action. It might frighten away the men on the outside, or else it would make him an easy target should they be bent upon serious mischief.

"They'll get the door open in a minute," the boy muttered to himself, and he determined to be ready for them.

There was a click, and Jimmy knew that the intruders had succeeded in forcing the lock. A moment later the top of the stall door swung inward.

The light from a lantern flashed into Jimmy's face, and he saw a hand stretched forth to open the catch of the bottom door. He saw two faces, one of which he recognized as that of Jones. The other man he had never seen before.

Without stopping to think, Jimmy raised his revolver and fired, even as Jones, having caught sight of the lad, uttered an exclamation of dismay.

A groan followed the shot and then Jimmy heard Jones cry:

"Quick, d.i.c.k! He is armed. Put out the light!"

A moment more and complete darkness enveloped the stable.

Jimmy dropped to the ground, keeping as close to the wall as he could, for he did not want to get in the way of Gabriel's hoofs. Frightened by the shot, Gabriel was rearing and plunging about. Several times his forefeet came down close to Jimmy's head, but fortunately the lad was untouched.

Then, as Gabriel became more quiet, Jimmy again heard a hand fumbling at the catch, and caught a muttered voice:

"If we can get in we'll soon settle him!"

Quickly the lad raised the revolver and fired twice. There came a howl of anguish, and a voice cried:

"I'm hit."

And then in Jones' voice:

"Some one is coming! Run!"

Jimmy heard the two men racing toward the stable door.

Taking care to avoid Gabriel's hoofs, the lad leaped to the door and in a moment was on the outside. He paused, however, to shut and lock the door of the stall.

As he reached the other door, he saw two dark figures spring into the saddles of waiting horses and go galloping toward the pike.

Jimmy sent another shot after them, and turned as he felt a hand upon his arm.

"Here, here, what is the meaning of this?" came Mr. Willing's voice.

Jimmy turned to face his employer.

"Two men just tried to get into Gabriel's stall," he replied.

"What!" exclaimed Mr. Willing, starting back in great surprise.

Jimmy repeated his statement.

"It's true, sir," he added. "I frightened them away before they could do any damage, and I think I hit one of them."

"Did you recognize them?"

"One of them," was the lad's reply.

"Who was he?"

"Mr. Jones, sir."

"You mean the man who was here to see me to-day?"

"Yes, sir."

"Come to the house with me," said Mr. Willing sternly. "There is more to this matter than appears on the surface. How did you happen to be sleeping in the stable?"

"It was Miss Shirley, sir, who first thought that Gabriel might come to harm."

"And what does she know about this matter?"

"She knows all about it, sir."

"I'll wake her now and find out," declared Mr. Willing.