“‘Why?’
“‘Because this is the first time I ever did anything on the sly; I think we are engaged in a very small business.’
“‘If you love your sister, how can you consider it a small business to take steps to rescue her from the clutches of an unworthy villain?’
“‘Of course not, but these steps ought to be taken openly and not in the dark.’
“‘True enough; but don’t they always employ detectives to catch the thief?’
“‘Yes; the best detectives are the shrewdest thieves.’
“While this conversation was progressing, Harry and his companion were walking quietly toward the gloomy old house—their arms locked in each other. The moon was struggling through the clouds that were moving briskly from the south toward the north, every now and then coming out between them and spreading a temporary light over the earth.
“‘This is a most favorable night for our business, Wallingford,’ observed Heartsell, as the moon darted out between the two dark clouds, lighting up the road nearly as bright as day.
“‘Why so?’
“‘Because we will be able to see all we wish.’