“Ned Warbeck is out, eh? And there is no one of the family at home, save old Sir Richard and——Well, he isn’t much to think about, an old man like he is.”
In a short time Colonel Blood hit upon a cool manner of proceeding.
He directed his steps to a well-known gaming-house, where a company of genteel thieves and house-breakers were wont to assemble.
His presence did not excite any surprise, for he was often seen in such company.
In a short time, to use his own words “he gave the wink” to three or four of the better dressed, and left the place as if he had no other object than to lounge away half an hour or so.
Four well-dressed fellows followed him.
“Hello, my lads! are you up to any little game to-night?”
“No, colonel.”
“But are you ‘game’ to join me in a lark?”
“Of course we are. What is it?”