At a Girl's Mercy, or, The Fortunes of War — page 21: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

= cee 10 AT A GIRL’S MERCY. blunders. Your field is here. I shall take the rest of the house with the aid of Dan. Come on, Dan.” A slim young fellow stepped out from among the others, obedient as a dog, and the two passed out of the library into the hall. As they started up the stairs the chief paused long enough to light the gas there, saying, with a laugh, noiseless as his step: “Plenty of light, Dan, always plenty of light. There’s more to be seen in the light.” It was marvelous how silent the house was, save for the stealthy footsteps on the stairs as the two men passed up into the house. How could they sleep so soundly when their lives and their home were in danger? Without interruption the men passed from one room to another, doing their work quickly and well. Without a word the squire was overpowered almost before he was awake, and his arms tied down, while a gag was placed in his mouth; and the same treatment was given his wife. Neither dared make resistance for fear of endanger- ing the life of the other, for the revolvers were in close proximity, and the eyes of the men, under their masks, showed that they would not hesitate to use them if necessary. Then through the rooms they went, one room after the other, lighting the gas in each, until the house was ablaze with light, yet hidden from out- _ side view by the heavy, closed shutters. One room after the other, making sure of no interference from unknown sources, securely fastening the door lead- ing into the servants’ hall, for no blood was to be unnecessarily shed, und there were many servants who would willingly sacrifice their lives for the sake of the master and his house, and discovery by them would mean an infuriated defense against these (E(0) comicbooks ne : <2) f