“It was some passing noise, I fancy. He seems quiet enough now.”
“Yes, sir,” said the servant, who was a stout, resolute looking fellow. “But had I not better take a look about?”
“There is no need,” said the master carelessly.
“Very well, sir.”
Both withdrew, the servant casting suspicious glances into the deep shadows about the house. Nat drew a breath of relief.
“That was rather a narrow escape,” he murmured. “From the way that fellow looked, I felt sure he’d be out here poking around with his light whether or no.”
Once more he cautiously made his way around the mansion. Some little distance away he caught the dense bulk of the barn; and the same instant he noted that a dim light was filtering through a small window at one side.
“A watchman, perhaps,” thought the boy, in keen disappointment. “If it is, that’s the end of my plan.”
However, he carefully advanced and peered through the window. A lantern hung upon a wooden peg; there were some half dozen horses in the stalls, but, as far as he could see, no humans.
“In the loft, I suppose,” muttered Nat. “More than likely a stable hand, sent to look after the stock.”