`` A bear ! a bear ! oh , boys , save him ! '' murmured Gwen in her sleep , and the sound of her own distressed voice waked her . The fire was nearly out , for she had slept longer than she knew , the room was full of shadows , and the storm seemed to have died away . In the silence which now reigned , unbroken even by a snore , Gwen heard a sound that made her start and tremble . Some one was coming softly up the back stairs . All the outer doors were locked , she was sure ; all the boys lay in their places , for she could see and count the three long figures and little Gus in a bunch on the sofa . The girls had not stirred , and this was no rat 's scamper , but a slow and careful tread , stealing nearer and nearer to the study door , left ajar when the last load of wood was brought in . `` Pat would knock or ring , and papa would speak , so that we might not be scared . 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 ! ''
XXXXX Gwen ; and scream she did with all her might , as two men entered , one carrying a lantern , the other a bright tin can .
brought called knew lie ring scream slept swung thought waked