Then Potts seized his fowling-piece; and going down to the dining-room door, where he could hear the burglars at work, he cocked the gun, aimed it, pushed the door open with the muzzle and fired.

Instantly Mrs.Potts sprang the rattle, and before Potts could pick up the lacerated hired girl the front door was burst open by two policemen, who came into the dining-room.
Seeing Potts with a gun, and a bleeding woman on the floor, they imagined that murder had been committed, and one of them trotted Potts off to the station-house, while the other remained to investigate things.

Just then the clock struck six.

An explanation ensued from the girl, who only had a few bird-shot in her leg, and the policeman left to bring Potts home.

He arrived at about three in the morning, just as the clock was striking eight.