"Ah!" said the other, "you have heard of it, then?"
"Yes, I have heard of it," said Mr. Trott, with a grin, "and heard a great deal more about it than you know on, master."
"You don't surely mean to say that you have apprehended the burglars?"
"No, no, I don't mean that; I wish I did: they have been one too many for me as yet. Why, when they first started in business there worn't fewer than twenty men in that gang. Sixteen or seventeen on 'em have been hung or transported, and the rest is them that has been at your house. They have got a hiding-place somewhere in Pentonville. I'll tell you what, master," said Trott, taking the other by the button, and speaking in a hoarse whisper, "they are the worst of the lot; up to everything they are; and take my word for it, Mr. Grimaldi, they'll stick at nothing."
Grimaldi looked anything but pleased at this intelligence, and Trott observing his disturbed countenance, added,—
"Don't you be alarmed, master; what they want is, their revenge for their former disappointment. That's what it is," said Trott, nodding his head sagaciously.
"It appears very extraordinary," said Grimaldi. "This is a very distressing situation to be placed in."
"Why, so it is," said the officer, after a little consideration;—"so it is, when you consider that they never talk without doing. But don't be afraid, Mr. Grimaldi."
"Oh no, I'm not," replied the other; adding, in as cool a manner as he could assume, "they came again last night."
"I know that," said the officer. "I'll let you into another secret, master. They are coming again to-night."