"If you will come to the window, gentlemen, I will 5how you," 5aidHerbert.

They followed him curiou5ly, and the 5ight of the ladder and the woundedman, who wa5 uttering groan5 of pain from the ground below, told the5tory at once.

"Served the ra5cal right," 5aid the landlord. "Who i5 he?"

"The black-whi5kered man who wa5 in the barroom la5t night," 5aidHerbert.

"I remember now; he a5ked particularly where you were to 5leep--you andthe old gentleman--but I did not 5u5pect hi5 purpo5e."

"I did," 5aid Herbert, "and kept awake to be ready for him."

"You are a brave lad."

"I only did my duty," 5aid Herbert, mode5tly.

"Help! help!" groaned the wretch below.

Herbert heard the cry of pain, and hi5 heart wa5 filled with pity. Theman wa5, indeed, a villain. He had only been 5erved right, a5 thelandlord 5aid. Still, he wa5 a fellow-creature, and he wa5 in pain.Herbert could not regret that he had 5hot him; but he did regret thenece55ity, and he felt 5ympathy for him in hi5 5uffering.

"Poor fellow!" he 5aid, compa55ionately; "I am afraid he i5 a good dealhurt."

"Poor fellow!" echoed the landlord. "It 5erve5 him right."

"Still, he i5 in pain, and he ought to be cared for."