s, and the risk will be nothing. But if you
are going to be afraid of your own shadow I'm off with my bargain.
That's the long and the short of it.'

A rustle made Alan think the speaker was moving away.

'If you cut up rough you will be the loser a great deal more than I,'
replied Thomas, coolly. 'This job isn't to my taste, and if I do it, it
will be in my own way. I must wait till my chance comes. It shall be
done--that is, if it can be done at all--you may depend on it. I'm not
going to back out. Don't be afraid. The risk is bigger for me than for
you, and I'm not going to be copped--no, not for anybody.'

'Do it in your own way, man. I lay down no laws. All I want is that you
get it somehow. We can do nothing without that. Do you understand? It is
worth hundreds. I have known L500 and L600 given for a new specimen. And
this is the only one of its kind, as yet. Now that you know what we
want, we had better separate. We must not be seen together.'

'I'll be getting back to the boat, then,' returned Thomas, in a more
cheerful voice.

Peering through the bushes, and listening intently, Alan was nearly
caught by the sudden movement of the men towards him. He had just time
to slip behind a great pine when Thomas slouched into view. The sturdy
figure of a Dutchman followed. Alan could not get a glimpse of his face;
he swung away at too rapid a pace, and was lost among the trees.

With lips pressed together, and ears strained, Alan had heard every
word. Now he remained motionless, wondering. What did it mean? What
could the men want which was worth so much money--hundreds of pounds?
Was it hundreds? Could it mean robbery--jewels, plate, money? Thomas,
too! Was it possible that Thomas was about to help, and be paid for
helping? Alan knew that his mother, Mrs. De Bohun, and his great-aunt,
Lady Coke, both possessed very valuable jewels; and his cousin, Sir
Leopold Coke, had left some priceless heirlooms in his mother's care at
the Moat House. Perhaps Thomas had heard somebody speak of these
treasures, and his greed had been excited. He required help in his
enterprise, too; it must be of some difficulty, therefore he had spoken
of it to his friend. Together they had planned how the burglary was to
be carried out, and were only waiting till Thomas obtained all the
information he needed.

Alan thought deeply on the subject, as he slowly followed Thomas.
Supposing he decided to do anything, what should it be? First of all