"And you escaped?" he said.
"Yes," nodded Stumpy, with a laugh, "and there I was luckier than the general. He made a shy at it, killed a man in the attempt, but him and another chap as tried it with him was drowned off the coast. Drowned in the pitch dark! It warn't a pleasant ending, but it was better than he deserved, for of all the false, smooth-faced villains he was the worst."
Leicester seemed lost in thought. He roused suddenly and looked up at the timepiece.
"If you want to see the most successful man and the greatest rogue in London to-night, or rather this morning, you must be quick, my friend. Light your pipe and run away. While you are gone I will turn over your friend's advice, for I think I see a chance of adopting it."
"I'm off," said Stumpy, and after Leicester had directed him to the mansion he started.
It was the night of the great ball.
Fitz had made his proposal and gone home, before Stumpy had reached the house and taken up his position in the shadow of the huge portico.
The guests were coming out, and for a while Stumpy almost forgot the object of his watch in his admiration for and astonishment at the dresses and jewels. But suddenly a footman's voice called "Mrs. Mildmay's and Mr. Murpoint's carriage," and Stumpy was suddenly aroused to a sense of his purpose.
Crouching unseen against the iron railings he could see the face of every individual as it came out into the bright light pouring from the gas lamps at the door.
In twos and threes the brilliantly dressed people came out talking, laughing, and gathering their cloaks and wraps round them.