"God bless you, Emily," said Basil, pressing her hand, and Emily felt that she needed no other reward.
Mr. Philpott then described his plan. Guided by Emily, they were all to get into the grounds, when their forces were to be thus disposed of: Basil and Old Corrie were to hide in the grounds as close as possible to the back door of the lodge; they were not to move or speak; Emily was to return to the house, and impart to Annette all that she knew, and in this way prepare her for what was to follow; both Annette and her maid were to be ready to come from the house to the lodge upon a given signal; Mr. Philpott was to conceal himself in one of the upper rooms of the lodge, and no movement whatever was to be made until he blew loudly upon a policeman's whistle. The moment this signal was given, Basil and Old Corrie were to enter the lodge through the back door, which Emily would leave unlocked, but properly closed, so as to excite no suspicion in the minds of Gilbert Bidaud and Newman Chaytor--and proceed at once to the lower room, in which these men were located; and Annette and Emily were to leave the house and come immediately to the lodge.
"All this," said Mr. Philpott aside to Basil, "is not exactly lawful, and if Mr. Bidaud and Mr. Chaytor had right on their side we should get into trouble. But we have the whip hand of them and are safe. I anticipate very little difficulty, only neither of our men must be allowed to escape until we have settled with them."
The party proceeded to the villa, Emily walking a little ahead with Basil, to whom she imparted how matters stood with her young mistress.
"Her heart was truly breaking," said the girl, "and she could never have lived through it, never! But she will soon be her dear, bright self again. All, sir, she is the sweetest lady that ever drew breath--and O, how these wretches have made her suffer! But there is happiness coming to her. I could sing for joy, indeed I could, sir!"
[CHAPTER XLIV.]
All was still in house and grounds and lodge. The dark clouds were growing black, but the storm had not yet burst. A clock in the hall struck twelve, and, as if the chimes had called them forth, Gilbert and Chaytor issued from the house, and walked to their rendezvous. Each man was occupied with his own special thoughts, and each kept a wary eye upon the other's shadowed form.
"I left the door of the lodge open," said Gilbert. "Enter."
"After you," said Chaytor.
"Pardon me," said Gilbert, "after you."