They left the door wide open, and all crouched together in a corner.
The sound of the burglars’ tools soon ceased—a sign that they were worked by practised hands.
Indeed, no more skilful “cracksmen” existed at this time than Charles Peace, the Badger, and Cooney—the two first-named men have never been surpassed.
The farmers and their friends silently awaited the movements of the robbers, who had without doubt, by this time, effected an entrance into the house.
The party in the bedroom stood prepared for any emergency—they all cocked their guns.
“Let us have no firing, except in self-defence,” said Mr. Cheadle. “There are four able-bodied men here, and it must go hard with us if we cannot hold our own.”
“I shan’t be at all particular about peppering the scoundrels, whoever they may be,” returned John Ashbrook. “A set of lawless, midnight marauders—fellows of their stamp do not deserve pity or consideration.”
They now heard muffled footsteps in the room beneath them, and immediately afterwards similar sounds were heard on the stairs.
They began to breathe a little quicker, and grasped their guns more tightly.
A gleam of light fell across the threshold.