Not a light of any description was discernible at the windows of the habitation.
Peace scaled the wall, and then found himself in the front garden or shrubbery.
He crept silently along until he reached the side of the mansion; passing along this he arrived at the garden in its rear.
It was at the back of Miss Chickleberry’s residence that he proposed effecting an entrance, for beyond the garden itself were a number of fields used for grazing purposes.
A death-like silence reigned around, which was only broken occasionally by the mournful sighing of the branches of the trees as they were agitated by a passing breeze.
He concluded that all the inmates were fast asleep—at any rate he hoped they were.
He had provided himself with a capacious bag, as he had been given to understand that there was a considerable amount of silver plate, which he concluded it would be his pleasing duty to remove.
Two men-servants slept in the rooms over some stables which were about a hundred and fifty yards from the house, which, with the exception of a boy who acted as page, was occupied by females only.
But, Peace being a ladies’ man, this did not much matter.
The most serious matter for consideration was how to effect an entrance without disturbing the sleeping garrison.