The $500 Check — page 187: what you’re looking at

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

170 THE $500 CHECK. to protect him from being plundered, if possi- ble. He knew that he was in some personal peril, but he was naturally a brave boy, and his spirit rose to the occasion. He waited until the supposed burglar was in the room, and then, sitting up in bed, asked stoutly: ‘‘Whoare you? What brings you here ?”’ The man turned swiitly toward the bed, and fixed his eyes on Bert, but did not immediately speak. ‘‘ If you are a burglar,”’ continued Bert, em- boldened by the man’s hesitation, ‘‘ you had better get out of the window again, or I shall call Mr. Wilson. ‘* No, don’t call him, at least not yet,’’ said the intruder, sinking into a chair a few feet from the bed. ‘‘ Are you working here ?”’ C6 Yes.”’ ‘* ‘Who are you?”’ This seemed a singular question. What could his name matter toa burglar? However Bert answered mechanically, ‘‘My name is Bert Barton.” ‘*The widow Barton’s bov?”’ GOmMmichoo cS