A sharp whistle, a volume of steam, and the train glides out into the night.
Turvey, the guard, breathes freely. He has fulfilled his portion of the contract, and is entitled to his share.
Brooks and Heckett are alone with the massive safes of bullion, and everything now depends upon the use they make of the opportunity.
They are the workmen who are to carry out the scheme devised by the talented head of the firm of Smith and Co.
Slowly at first, but increasing in speed at every moment, the long train rushes like a fiery serpent through London out into the open country.
Directly the train is clear of the station Brooks and Heckett commence operations. The rehearsal has been perfect, the performance seems likely to go off without a hitch.
Brooks has the keys prepared with so much skill and labour, and the safe opens in a moment. Then Heckett with a hammer and chisel wrenches off the iron clasps from the first box, and, forcing the lid up carefully, reveals the treasure that lies within.
Never did a miner’s eyes gleam more brightly as he came upon the priceless nugget than did Heckett’s as he saw the bars of gold at his mercy. Quick as thought the box was emptied and filled with shot from the carpet bags in the van.
This shot had all been carefully weighed and prepared in parcels, so that it would represent the exact weight of the abstracted gold.
To light some wax with a taper, reseal the box with a seal brought for the purpose, refasten the iron clasps and drive the nails in again was the work of a very short time, and when the train stopped at Redhill half the stupendous task was completed.