“And dark lanterns,” said Jack.
“A small crowbar to wrench open the shutters,” said Bates, “and in less than an hour we can ‘clean out’ the whole house. Dead silence must be kept—not a word spoken by any one.”
“If we meet with resistance——”
“Well, then, use your weapons fearlessly,” said Jack. “The night is dark and stormy—just the right weather to crack such a crib as his.”
“Come, then,” said Bates, “we’ll take a parting glass, and then away.”
“Agreed, agreed!”
“We musn’t all leave the house together, but go in twos and threes. Just as the clock strikes one, let every man meet at Colonel Blood’s house, and hide under the highway.”
This plan was agreed to, and the Dozen separated.
Colonel Blood’s splendid town house was situated in and surrounded by large and beautiful gardens, near the river bank, not far from Whitehall Gardens.