“It must have been a cat, or something,” thought Jack, as he began to ransack the drawers and wardrobes.
Watches, jewels, silks, satins, and money he found in abundance.
“Hillo! this will do,” he mused, as he filled his pockets in great haste.
But the next thing to be done was to descend the stairs, so as to admit his companions.
He was in his stocking feet, and moved about without making the slightest noise.
After much trouble, he forced back the lock of the chamber door.
Like a cat, he descended the stairs, and withdrew the two huge bolts of the front door.
This was done without the slightest noise, and several of his gang entered and distributed themselves all over the mansion.
In a very short time Jack and his comrades stripped the drawing-rooms, parlours, and other rooms, of all their valuables, and as quickly as possible filled several sacks with gold and silver ware from the plate chest in the pantry.
The butler slept in this pantry, but was almost frightened out of his wits, for one of the band held a pistol at his head while the other tied him hand and foot and gagged him.