His other business was too important to allow him the pleasure of playing with these fellows, much as he might have enjoyed it.
Under these circumstances he worked his way close to where they crouched.
He could hear them working with a chisel or burglar’s tool of some sort—they were prying off a board from the fence, so that they might easily pass through when they desired.
It would be a good route for flight, also, after their object was attained.
So interested were they in the task that they did not have the faintest suspicion of the presence of any one.
Darrell could hear their low words.
“Bill, this here promises to be a lucky strike,” said one, in a low tone.
Bill muttered a reply.
“Well, I’m of the opinion, Bill, as we’ll have a good whack at some valuables. Ye see, the guests are all in there—if we can deceive the gal below and slip upstairs there ought to be fat pickings for fellers of our size.”
“Softly, partner, softly—there’s another in this here game you ain’t counted on.”