then stopped.

"Coast quite clear, sir," said Dick.

"Think so, Smithson? Is it safe?"

"The constable has evidently gone on his round."

"But he said something about watching."

"Yes, sir; but he would not stop in one place. I'd venture, if I were
you."

"Then we will, Smithson. Come along back at once, and let's get it
over. The plan of attack is to go quickly through the gate, pass on to
the grass, and then right up to the house--on the lawn, of course. Then
one, two, three, four, and start at once."

"Yes, sir; I understand. I'll count four in a whisper, and away we go."

"There, then, not a word till I tap your arm with my flute, which you
can give me as soon as we have got on to the lawn."

The entrance was reached again, but there was no policeman in the dark
nook, and, raising the latch, the lieutenant swung open the gate, and
they passed through, the latch falling back into its place with a faint
click which sounded terribly loud, and made them pause for a moment or
two.

"Come along," whispered the lieutenant; "on to the grass."

"What's your little game?"

It was a gruff whisper from out of a clump of laurustinus, and, as the
stalwart figure of the policeman moved up in the darkness, the
lieutenant turned to flee, but stopped short on Dick grasping his arm.

"There's nothing wrong, constable!" said Dick, quickly.

"No; and I don't mean for there to be! Just consider yourselves
ketched! No gammon, or I whistles, and there'll be dozens of our chaps
here in no time; and, if they comes and finds you're nasty, there won't
be no mercy--and so I tell yer!"

"Don't be absurd," said Dick, thinking it better to out with the truth;
"we've only come to play a tune or two in front of the house."

"Yes, yes!" said the lieutenant, feebly.

"Yes, yes!" cried the constable, mockingly. "I know--one on yer's going
to play a toon on the centre-bit while t'other sings the pop'lar and
original air o' `Gentle Jemmy in the 'ouse.' Now, then, no gammon!
Come on!"

"Hadn't we better walk to the station with him, and explain to his
officer?" said the lieutenant, mildly.

"No!" cried Dick, angrily; "we'll make him understand here! Don't be
absurd, constable; this is a gentleman--"

"From London. I know!"

"Nonsense! he lives in Ratcham. It is only meant for a pleasant little
surprise."

"To find the plate gone, eh!"

"I tell you we were going to play a tune or two!"

"Then where's your orga