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 Ed ! We are all right . Got tired of waiting for you , so we went to sleep . '' `` Stop screaming , girls , and quiet those children ! Poor little Gwen is badly frightened . Get some snow , Tom , while I pick her up , '' commanded the uncle , and order was soon established . The boys were all right at once , and Ruth and Alice devoted themselves to the children , who were very cross and sleepy in spite of their fright . Gwen was herself in a moment , and so ashamed of her scare that she was glad there was no more light to betray her pale cheeks .
`` I should have known you , uncle , at once , but to see a strange man startled me , and he did n't speak , and I XXXXX that can was a pistol , '' stammered Gwen , when she had collected her wits a little .
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