The Works of George W. M. Reynolds — page 266: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

2 THE VILLA 249 there are none which could serve his purpose so as to bring him up in time to interfere with us. Now, then, you fellows, go on together. We will follow with the vehicle exactly five minutes after you leave, so that it won’t have to stand long at the gate of the premises.”’ “Five minutes in advance will be ample,” responded Chiffin. ‘‘ If the inmates are in bed, we’ll break into the house in a jiffy; but if they’re still up it will be easier work — still.” Having thus spoken, Chiffin led the way from the spot, closely followed by Mat the Cadger and Spider Bill, and in three minutes they were at the villa. The hall lamp was still alight, and a candle was also burning in an up-stairs room, so that it was evident the inmates had not yet retired to rest. Chiffin’s dispositions were speedily made: he was to enter by the front door, while his two companions were to effect their entry by the back part of the premises, and thus, as it were, take the place by storm. They were pro- vided with black masks, which they put upon their counte- nances previous to commencing operations. We will first follow Chifin. He traversed the front garden and rang the house-bell, having done which he turned his back toward the door, so that the instant it should be opened the servant answering the summons might not at the first glimpse catch sight of his mask. He was not kept long waiting; the door was opened, he made one step back- ward, caught the female by the throat, and kicked the door to with marvellous rapidity. “Not a word! not a struggle! ” he said, in the low, hoarse _whisper of his terrible voice, “ or I'll throttle you! ”’ There was scarcely any need for this injunction, inasmuch as the young woman at once swooned with the awful terror which seized upon her. Meanwhile Mat the Cadger and Spider Bill had leaped over the wall at the back of the premises, and stealing into the kitchen, they found the other two female servants (for _ the Deverils kept three) seated at work. Mat sprang upon one, his companion on the other. The first who was thus assailed gave vent to a slight scream, but only a slight one, for it was instantaneously stifled by the rude hand that gagoed her lips; while the other female was seized with too profound a dismay to cry out at all. They both received the CONnNIEOOOKS (C(O)