"Well, under the circumstances," pursued Tony tranquilly, "I propose to give them the chance of gratifying their ambition. I always like to help people gratify their ambition, even if it involves a little personal trouble and exertion."
Isabel's amber eyes lit up with an expectant and rather unkind pleasure. "What are you going to do?" she asked again.
"It depends to a certain extent on Bugg's report," replied Tony. "The idea is that he and I should go out by the front gate, work our way round to the back, and make a quiet and unobtrusive re-entrance over the garden wall. We should then be on the premises in case any one took it into their heads to call during our absence."
Isabel laughed joyously. "That's a lovely idea," she exclaimed. "I do hope——"
She was interrupted by the sudden reappearance of Bugg, who came rapidly up the staircase in the same noiseless and unexpected fashion that he had departed in.
"Well?" said Tony, throwing away the stump of his cigar.
"There ain't nothin' wrong abaht the wall, sir," replied Bugg cheerfully. "One can 'op over that as easy as sneezin'."
"What is there the other side of it?" asked Tony.
"It gives on to the back garden of the 'Ollies—that big empty 'ouse in 'Eath Street."
"How very obliging of it," said Tony contentedly. He turned to Isabel. "It's no good wasting time, is it?" he added. "I think I had better go straight down and tell Mrs. Spalding what we propose to do. She ought to know something about it, just in case we have to slaughter any one on her best carpet."