"As the door closed behind him, a sound of women screaming and scolding came from the docks, then a child's cry cut into the night, after which there was quiet in that quarter and in the house, too. For Mother Merry, with a scared look, jumped towards the room where the men were sitting, and, pushing her way in, held up her hand so as to draw all eyes.
"'The warning,' she cried. 'It's the cops! See if you can get out by the window.'
"One of the men arose and went to the window, looked out, and came crawling back, putting out a light as he did so.
"'They're on the water,' he whispered; and, whether I am a fool or not, that whisper sent the creeps up my back.
"'Both front and back?' she cried. 'That means business; you'll have to squeeze into the hole, boys.'
"Another light went out.
"Meanwhile I had crept to the door.
"''Ware there! that fellow's trying to sneak,' shouted a voice.
"I drew back. Old Merry came to my aid.
"'Don't be a fool,' she whispered. 'Stay here or they'll think you're in with them!'