"He's turned the corner," whispered the cracksman, immediately opening the outer door.
"Pull the inside one to, me boy."
Robert did as he commanded.
"Out with you now."
Robert preceded his confederate into the deserted yard, while Dobbs closed the great outer gate softly and sprung its iron bolt. Pursuit from within was thus cut off.
"Now run, me boy."
Robert followed, easily keeping up with his leader. As they approached the end of the bastile, Dobbs slowed his pace.
"Tiptoes, now," he cried stealthily working his way up to the corner of the building, where he stood crouching as if in ambush. Their shadows were thrown forward beyond the corner, so that the cracksman could not get within a yard of the edge.
"The hother cove Hi greased, but this one we'll 'ave to sponge, Bobbs," he said, taking the sponge from his breast and sprinkling it anew from a tiny vial.
"'Ere ee comes a-waggin' of 'is 'ead, but this at 'is beak will set 'im snoozin', Hi fawncy."