They lighted a sort of bull's-eye, and poured the concentrated light on the cupboard door, behind which lay the treasure of glorious old plate.
Then the foreign gent produced his skeleton keys, and after several ineffective trials, opened the door softly and revealed the glittering booty.
At sight of it the foreign gent could not suppress an ejaculation, but the younger one clapped his hand before his mouth hurriedly.
The foreign gent unrolled a sort of green baize apron he had round him; it was, in reality, a bag.
Into this receptacle the pair conveyed one piece of plate after another with surprising dexterity, rapidity, and noiseless-ness. When it was full, they began to fill the deep pockets of their shooting-jackets.
While thus employed, they heard a rapid footstep, and Richard Bassett opened the door. He was in his trousers and shirt, and had a pistol in his hand.
At sight of him Reginald uttered a cry of dismay; the foreign gent blew out the light.
Richard Bassett, among whose faults want of personal courage was not one, rushed forward and collared Reginald.
But the foreign gent had raised the crowbar to defend himself, and struck him a blow on the head that made him stagger back.
The foreign gent seized this opportunity, and ran at once at the window and jumped at it.