“Which master?” Tim groaned.
“Old Sir Richard.”
“He is in the parlour, talking to a young lady who is sick.”
“Take in this card, then, and be quick.”
While Tim was gone, Blood opened the door ajar.
His four confederates noiselessly entered, and hid themselves for a moment on the kitchen stairs, until they should have ascertained where Ellen Harmer’s apartment was.
“Colonel Blood!” said old Sir Richard, in much surprise, as he walked into the hall. “May I ask your business with me? it must be of some great consequence, or you would not have called at this unreasonable hour?”
“I would not, Sir Richard—my information is of the utmost importance to you, and brooks no delay.”
“Come this way then, colonel; I will not ask you into my breakfast parlor, for I have a fair young woman there, who has been lying insensible for the last hour or more.”
“Indeed!”