"If he does, and complains of the deception, it will involve a confession that he is a thief. I confess I don't know what to anticipate."
Ten minutes later a slow step was heard ascending the staircase.
Scott and the earl listened in excitement. They could not forecast the next act in the drama.
The steps paused before the door, but the door was not opened. In place of this they heard a key turn in the lock outside. It was clear that they were locked in.
"Ralph does not mean that we should escape," said the earl.
"What shall we do?"
"I shall go to sleep. I think we are secure from any other visit. Hostilities are probably deferred till morning. What will be done then I am quite at a loss to understand, but when that time comes we can decide what to do."
When Red Ralph went downstairs after purloining the wallet, it was with a feeling of satisfaction at the apparent success of his dishonest scheme.
Below, his wife and his accomplice still sat before the fire.