Waterbury evening Democrat., 1893-09-25
SINFIRE
By JULIAN HAWTHORNE,
Copyright, 1893, by American Press Assoc,n-
 finr,
CHAPTER X,

uon.l
 CHAPTER X.
 It is decidedly irritating to be laid on ones back in this way just when one would most wish to be more than usually active and efficient. But the milk is spilled, and worrying will not restore it to the pitcher. Imust keep quiet and hope for better things. At all events have abundant opportunity to indulge my hobby of writing.
 The topic of special interest at present is the burglars. From information we have received, as the newspapers say,we are in position to state that there is probability of our being their next vic tins. No doubt they are a skillful gang of rascals, but even an amateur thief might operate in this neighborhood with comparative security. We have two or three intirm and cratic constables to take charge of 20 or 30 square miles of territory, and the facilities for escape and concealment afforded by the topOg- raphy of this region are all that the most fastidious could desire. Accordingly we have seriously made mp our minds to de fend ourselves. and not only that. but if possible to bag the burglars into the bar gain.
 The Cedarcliffe estate is two or three miles in circumference and the surface Is a good deal diversitied-rocks, woods. ravines. cliffs, cultivated lands and gar dens. The force available to guard this frontier consisted of four persons-John, Henry, Tom, the groom, and myself-but my own involuntary defection reduces it to three. Still with proper arrangement three ought to be enough. Sinfire wants to come in, but that is hardly practica- ble. She would unquestionably do her part. however, should any chance bring her in contact with the enemy. She not only has no fear, but she is very clever in suggestions, and in fact it was she who first proposed the scheme which will probably be put in operation.
 The theory upon which we are pro ceeding Is that our robbers are members of the community and probably among the most jealous of those who are clamor- ing to have the villains caught. They have shown such competent knowledge of the locality, of the obstacles to be en- countered and the facilities to be de- pended on, they have made so few mis, takes and their success has been so uni form that it is difficult to suppose them strangers, unfamiliar with the ground. This hypothesis being granted, it follows that although our task is made harder ill one way it is simplified in another. On the one hand, they will be able to ar range their attack with more certainty and confidence, but on the other we shall be able to play off with them bit of strategy that might else fail of its effect. Let me explain.
 We are ill the habit every summer of making a party to go to Pebble lake and camp out there a night or two. The lake lies some 10 miles to the southward and is surrounded by woods which havo stood beyond the memory of living man. In former years we built small log hut there for the ladies of the party or for refuge ill case of storm, and we carry teuts, cooking apparatus and all other paraphernalia with us.
 Father bought the lake. with the sur rounding woodland. at the time of oar first settit n-nt here. Perhaps he intend C.: t for q fishing preserve, or possibly his motive was merely aesthetic. At any rate. there it is, and there is not pret- tier sheet of water within 100 miles. It is about 200 acres in extent and remark ably deep at one end, where Mount Sa- chem descends, rocky and precipitous, sheer into the water. At the other end it Is comparatively shallow, and the shore slopes gradually Pebble brook enters it at this point, and on its banks the log cabin stands. commanding view of the whole stretch of the lake and of Mount Sachen reflected ill it. The fishing is very good, for the place is so secluded that few people find their way there. I have caught pickerel there 3 feet long. Of perch and bream there is no end, and there are very good trout to be found in Pebble brook. The shooting is also ex- cellent in the season. Only last year John actually bagged deer,
 We'll, we had been discussing the feasi- bility of going out there this summer be fore the burglars were heard from, and John had been looking forward to it with particular good will but as he remarked \ night or two ago at the dinner table: No use thinking of that now. Those fellows would be sure to hear of it, and they'd have the house gutted before We could get back"
 Maybe We can catch them before the summers over" remarked Henry. And after all 1t would bc as good fun hunting them as stalking deer"
 I'm sure hope you will let the police attend to that" said mother. Let us pretend to go, and then come back and surprise them." exclaimed Sin fire
 By George, a good idea!' cried John The only trouble would te to make sure they heard We were going. We'd be certain of them then
 That's easy enough, rejoined Henry We are all agreed that they are native here and to the manner born. I'll tell i you how 10 do it. Drive into the viii laGe and go about in the shops. buying d whole lo% of things and letting every body know that We are going out to 1 camp at the lake on a certain day. Give 1 the news time to spread, then load up a ! couple of wagons and drive off just be- fore sunset, singing and blowing horns, so as to leaTe no doubt in the minds of their spies if they're on the lookout. Then back again after dark with our shooting irons, and it'll go hard. but we'll see some fun!'
 ''But what do you expect Sinfre and me to do:" demanded mother in some consternation. Spend the night in the woods in a wagon
 We can arrange to have you go quiet Iy and put up at one of the neighbors'. : said I.
 II want to be here!' exclaimed Sin fire. Let me stay in the house."
 My dear, you would be murdered il your bed!" mother said.
 "I shouldn't go to bed" she returned T should be perfectly safe, and I migh be of some use"
 ''The house doesn't need ventilation or you might shoot holes through tn doors with your derringer," said Henry