His female companion presented him with a latch-key, and after some further conversation and protestations of friendship on either side, he took his departure, well satisfied with his diplomatic arrangement.
It was not, however, without considerable misgivings that Miss Stanbridge had yielded to his request, and had it not been that she was in his power, and therefore dreaded to make him her enemy, she most likely would have given him a point-blank refusal. As it was she had no other alternative. She knew the man she was dealing with, and therefore deemed it advisable to temporise. Peace had taken her by surprise, and had talked to her in such a plausible way that she was thrown off her guard, and had given in without the faintest show of resistance.
CHAPTER XLVII.
THE ATTEMPTED BURGLARY AT THE JEWELLER’S—PEACE HAS ANOTHER NARROW ESCAPE.
Charles Peace appeared to be like the tiger, who, after tasting human flesh, had an insatiable appetite for fresh victims.
He had contemplated the burglary he was about to put into practice for some weeks, and had well considered the matter before his interview with Laura Stanbridge.
Within a few doors of her residence was a jeweller’s shop.
Peace’s object was to obtain an easy access to this.
He had ascertained that the owner of the establishment in question did not reside on the premises—he had a house at Fulham for himself and his family.
After the day’s business was over he repaired thither, leaving his housekeeper, a maid servant, and one of his assistants in charge of his town residence.