The little iron bed of the doomed talebearer was not far distant from Paul's, and between them was a stove in which burned a brisk fire every night to drive out the chill mountain air.

When all were asleep, Paul slipped from his bed, and touched the fuse to the red hot side of the stove.

Then he placed the ignited bomb under the tell-tales bed and hastily scrambled back to his own.

He had just time to roll himself up in the blankets, when there was a flash and terrible explosion.

The bed of the tell-tale turned a complete somersault, while the entire building trembled with the concussion and a shower of broken glass was scattered around.