Coventry assented to this condition.  He undertook to get into the house, and open the door to Cole and his myrmidons:  he stipulated, however, that Cole should make a short iron ladder with four sharp prongs.  By means of this he could enter Grace’s house at a certain unguarded part and then run down and unbar the front door.  He had thoroughly reconnoitered the premises, and was sure of success.

First one day was appointed for the enterprise, then another, and, at last, it was their luck to settle on a certain night, of which I will only say at present, that it was a night Hillsborough and its suburbs will not soon forget.

Midnight was the hour agreed on.

Now at nine o’clock of this very night the chief-constable of Hillsborough was drinking tea with Little scarcely twenty yards from the scene of the proposed abduction.  Not that either he or Little had the least notion of the conspiracy.  The fact is, Hillsborough had lately been deluged with false coin, neatly executed, and passed with great dexterity.  The police had received many complaints, but had been unable to trace it.  Lately, however, an old bachelor, living in this suburban valley, had complained to the police that his neighbors kept such enormous fires all night, as to make his wall red-hot and blister his paint.

This, and one or two other indications, made Ransome suspect the existence of a furnace, and he had got a search-warrant in his pocket, on which, however, he did not think it safe to act till he had watched the suspected house late at night, and made certain observations for himself.  So he had invited himself to tea with his friend Little—­for he was sure of a hearty welcome at any hour—­and, over their tea, he now told him his suspicions, and invited him to come in and take a look at the suspected house with him.

Little consented.  But there was no hurry; the later they went to the house in question the better.  So they talked of other matters, and the conversation soon fell on that which was far more interesting to Little than the capture of all the coiners in creation.

He asked Ransome how long he was to go on like this, contenting himself with the mere sight of her.

“Why;” said Ransome, “even that has made another man of you.  Your eye is twice as bright as it was a month ago, and your color is coming back.  That is a wise proverb, ‘Let well alone.’  I hear she visits the sick, and some of them swear by her.  If think I’d give her time to take root here; and then she will not be so ready to fly off in a tangent.”

Little objected that it was more than flesh and blood could bear.

“Well, then,” said Ransome, “promise me just one thing:  that, if you speak to her, it shall be in Hillsborough, and not down here.”

Little saw the wisdom of this, and consented, but said he was resolved to catch her at his own window the next time she came.

He was about to give his reasons, but they were interrupted by a man and horse clattering up to the door.