So quite amicably the Outlaws divided forces. Ginger and Douglas remained concealed in the bushes by the gate of Mrs. Bute’s house, warily eyeing the windows, while William and Henry set off down the road after Miss Poll’s rapidly vanishing figure.
******
William and Henry stood at Miss Poll’s gate and held a hasty consultation. Their previous experience did not encourage them to go boldly to the front door and demand the black coat.
“Let’s jus’ go in an’ steal it,” said Henry cheerfully. “’S not hers really.”
But William seemed averse to this.
“No,” he said, “I bet that it wouldn’t come off. I bet she’s the sort of woman that’s always poppin’ up jus’ when you don’ want her. No, I guess we’ve gotter think out a plan.”
He thought deeply for a few minutes, then his face cleared and over it broke a light that betokened inspiration.
“I know what we’ll do. It’s a jolly good idea. I bet ... well, anyway, you come in with me an’ see.”
Boldly William walked up to the front door and rang the bell. Apprehensively Henry followed him.
Miss Poll, wearing the black coat (for she had been trying it on and fancied herself in it so much that she had not been able to bring herself to take it off to answer the bell), opened the door.