"And what are they?" "The first is, we cannot obtain a horse and cart without giving some
detail as to what you want it for, which is awkward, on account of the
hour. Moreover, you could not get one at this moment in time." "That ought to settle the argument," said Henry Bannerworth; "an
impossibility, under the circumstances, at once is a clincher, and one
that may be allowed to have some weight." "You may say that," said Charles. "Besides which, you must go a greater distance, and that, too, along the
main road, which is objectionable." "Then we are agreed," said Charles Holland, "and the sooner we are off
the better; the night grows more and more gloomy every hour, and more
inclement." "It will serve our purpose the better," said Chillingworth. "What we do,
we may as well do now." "Come with me to the garden," said Henry, "and we will take the tools. We can go out the back way; that will preclude any observation being
made." They all now left the apartment, wrapped up in great overcoats, to
secure themselves against the weather, and also for the purpose of
concealing themselves from any chance passenger. In the garden they found the tools they required, and having chosen
them, they took a lantern, with the mean of getting a light when they
got to their journey's end, which they would do in less than an hour. After having duly inspected the state of their efficiency, they started
away on their expedition. The night had turned gloomy and windy; heavy driving masses of clouds
obscured the moon, which only now and then was to be seen, when the
clouds permitted her to peep out. At the same time, there were many
drifting showers, which lasted but a few minutes, and then the clouds
were carried forwards by some sudden gust of wind so that, altogether,
it was a most uncomfortable night as well could be imagined. However, there was no time to lose, and, under all circumstances, they
could not have chosen a better night for their purpose than the one they
had; indeed, they could not desire another night to be out on such a
purpose. They spoke not while they were within sight of the houses, though at the
distance of many yards, and, at the same time, there was a noise through
the trees that would have carried their voices past every object,
however close; but they would make assurance doubly sure. "I think we are fairly away now," said Henry, "from all fear of being
recognized." "To be sure you are. Who would recognize us now, if we were met?" "No one." "I should think not; and, moreover, there would be but small chance of
any evil coming from it, even if it were to happen that we were to be
seen and known. Nobody knows what we are going to do, and, if they did,
there is no illegality in the question." "Certainly not; but we wish the matter to be quite secret, therefore, we
don't wish to be seen by any one while upon this adventure." "Exactly," said Chillingworth; "and, if you'll follow my guidance, you
shall meet nobody." "We will trust you, most worthy doctor. What have you to say for our
confidence?" "That you will find it is not misplaced." Just as the doctor had uttered the last sound, there came a hearty laugh
upon the air, which, indeed, sounded but a few paces in advance of them. The wind blew towards them, and would, therefore, cause the sounds to
come to them, but not to go away in the direction they were going. The whole party came to a sudden stand still; there was something so
strange in hearing a laugh at that moment, especially as Chillingworth
was, at that moment, boasting of his knowledge of the ground and the
certainty of their meeting no one. "What is that?" inquired Henry. "Some one laughing, I think," said Chillingworth. "Of that there can be little or no doubt," said Charles Holland; "and,
as people do not usually laugh by themselves so heartily, it may be
presumed there are, at least, two." "No doubt of it." "And, moreover, their purpose cannot be a very good one, at this hour of
the night, and of such a night, too. I think we had better be cautious." "Hush! Follow me silently," said Henry. As he spoke, he moved cautiously from the spot where he stood, and, at
the same time, he was followed by the whole party, until they came to
the hedge which skirted a lane, in which were seated three men. They had a sort of tent erected, and that was hung upon a part of the
hedge which was to windward of them, so that it sheltered them from wind
and rain. Henry and Chillingworth both peeped over the bank, and saw them seated
beneath this kind of canopy. They were shabby, gipsy-looking men, who
might be something else--sheep-stealers, or horse-stealers, in fact,
anything, even to beggars. "I say, Jack," said one; "it's no bottle to-night." "No; there's nobody about these parts to-night. We are safe, and so are
they." "Exactly." "Besides, you see, those who do happen to be out are not worth talking
to." "No cash." "None, not enough to pay turnpike for a walking-slick, at the most." "Besides, it does us no good to take a few shillings from a poor wretch,
who has more in family than he has shillings in pocket." "Ay, you are right, quite right. I don't like it myself, I don't;
besides that, there's fresh risk in every man you stop, and these poor
fellows will fight hard for a few shillings, and there is no knowing
what an unlucky blow may do for a man." "That is very true. Has anything been done to-night?" "Nothing," said one. "Only three half crowns," said the other; "that is the extent of the
common purse to-night." "And I," said the third, "I have got a bottle of bad gin from the Cat
and Cabbage-stump." "How did you manage it?" "Why, this way. I went in, and had some beer, and you know I can give a
long yarn when I want; but it wants only a little care to deceive these
knowing countrymen, so I talked and talked, until they got quite chatty,
and then I put the gin in my pocket." "Good." "Well, then, the loaf and beef I took out of the safe as I came by, and
I dare say they know they have lost it by this time." "Yes, and so do we. I expect the gin will help to digest the beef, so we
mustn't complain of the goods." "No; give us another glass, Jim." Jim held the glass towards him, when the doctor, animated by the spirit
of mischief, took a good sized pebble, and threw it into the glass,
smashing it, and spilling the contents. In a moment there was a change of scene; the men were all terrified, and
started to their feet, while a sudden gust of wind caused their light to
go out; at the same time their tent-cloth was thrown down by the wind,
and fell across their heads. "Come along," said the doctor. There was no need of saying so, for in a moment the three were as if
animated by one spirit, and away they scudded across the fields, with
the speed of a race horse. In a few minutes they were better than half a mile away from the spot.