he took out."

"And where did he put the bag after he had paid them?"

"That I can't tell, for as I knew that they would come out as soon as
they were paid, I was obliged to beat a retreat, lest I should be seen."

"Well, then, how is it to be managed?"

"We must first tap at the door, and try if we can get in as benighted
travellers: if that won't do, and I fear it will not, while you remain
begging for admittance at the door, and keep him occupied, I will try
the door behind, that leads into the garden; and if not the door, I will
try the window. I have examined them both well, and have been outside
when he has shut up his shutters, and I know the fastenings. With a
pane out, I could open them immediately."

"Is there anybody else besides him in the cottage?"

"Yes, a lad who attends him, and goes to Lymington for him."

"No women?"

"Not one."

"But do you think we two are sufficient? Had we not better get more
help? There is Broom, and Black, the gipsy, at the rendezvous. I can
go for them, and be back in time: they are stout and true."

"Stout enough, but not true. No, no, I want no sharers in this
business, and you know how ill they behaved in the last affair. I'll
swear that they only produced half the swag. I like honour between
gentlemen and soldiers; and that's why I have chosen you. I know I can
trust you, Benjamin. It's time now--what do you say? We are two to
one, for I count the boy as nothing. Shall we start?"

"I am with you. You say there's a bag of gold, and that's worth
fighting for."

"Yes, Ben, and I'll tell you: with what I've got buried, and my share of
that bag, I shall have enough, I think; and I'll start for the Low
Countries, for England's getting rather too warm for me."

"Well, I shan't go yet," replied Benjamin; "I don't like your foreign
parts; they have no good ale, and I can't understand their talk. I'd
sooner remain in jolly old England with a halter twisted ready for me,
than pass my life with such a set of chaps who drink nothing but
Scheidam, and wear twenty pair of breeches. Come, let's be off: if we
get the money, you shall go to the Low Countries, Will, and I'll start
for the north, where they don't know me--for if you go, I won't stay
here."

The two men then rose up; and the one whose name appeared to be Will,
first examined if the candle in his dark lantern burnt well; and then
they both set off, followed by Edward, who had heard quite enough to