They found that the crane had been swung out just far enough to afford a foot-hold to those lowering themselves on to it from the roof. The door of the loft stood open.
"Just as you said. You could not have been righter, not if you had seen them at it. And now I reckon we may as well lock up the place again, and turn in. The Captain has got the key of the front door, and we will leave the lantern burning at the bottom of the stairs."
Cyril got up as soon as he heard a movement in the house, and went down to the shop, which had been already opened by John Wilkes.
"It seems quiet here, without the apprentices, John. Is there any way in which I can help?"
"No, thank you, sir. We shan't be moving the goods about till after breakfast, and then, no doubt, the Captain will get an extra man in to help me. I reckon he will have to get a neighbour in to give an eye to the place while we are all away at the Court."
"I see there is the rope still hanging from their window," Cyril said, as he went out into the yard.
"I thought it best to leave it there," John Wilkes replied, "and I ain't been up into the loft either. It is best to leave matters just as they were. Like enough, they will send an officer down from the Court to look at them."
When the family assembled at breakfast, Mrs. Dowsett was looking very grave. The Captain, on the other hand, was in capital spirits. Nellie, as usual, was somewhat late.
"Where is everybody?" she asked in surprise, seeing that Cyril alone was in his place with her father and mother.
"John Wilkes is downstairs, looking after the shop, and will come up and have his breakfast when we have done," her father replied.