DAVID. And no wonder; she tells me many's the time she's dangled 'ee on her knee, afore ye were breeched; (_imitating_) but ye know all about that. RAT. Of course. I've the most distinct recollection of everything that happened to me before I was breeched. DAVID. (_having lighted candles_) There, and now I'll go down stairs and wait for missus; and as soon as she comes in, I'll say to her---- RAT. Not one word, either to her or to Peggy! I wish to give them both an agreeable surprise, David; you understand, eh? DAVID. (_hesitating_) I think I do! RAT. (_giving him money_) There's a crown for you--think again. DAVID. (_pocketing money_) I'm sure I do! I'll be as dumb as an oyster. (_going--stops_) As I said before, supper be all ready in t'other room, (_going--stops_) and if 'ee want anything you needn't ring for me, 'cause I be going to take a bit of a snooze before the kitchen fire. (_yawning_) How sleepy I be to be sure. _Exit at door, L. C._ RAT. (_watching DAVID out, then goes quickly up and closes the door_) Alone at last--now then to work. (_takes a pair of pistols from his coat pocket, which he places on table_) But first, as ladies invariably fly to the bell ropes to raise an alarm, I must take the liberty of cutting these. (_taking knife out of his pocket, and cutting the bell ropes_) Now to examine the means of escape, in case of interruption--(_opening window and looking out_)--the garden--a small conservatory underneath--that's awkward; but, luckily, there's an apple tree so conveniently close as to make a very tolerable ladder on an emergency, so far perfectly satisfactory--and if my information is only tolerably correct, and it ought to be considering the trouble I've had in obtaining it, (_taking small pocket book from his waistcoat and opening it_) this door should lead to Mrs. Somerton's chamber--(_opening door at L., and looking in_)--exactly, and very elegantly appointed indeed. (_closes door, and again looking at his pocket book_)--"near the door a table"--precisely--(_laying his hand on the table_)--"on the table a small writing desk"--here it is--(_laying his hand on the writing desk_)--locked, and the key taken out, that of course I expected; but as I have ascertained that between the hours of 12 and 1 yesterday it became the temporary receptacle of a pocket book containing bank notes to the amount of fifteen thousand pounds, it is not likely I should come unprovided with the means of securing such a treasure. (_takes out a bunch of small keys, some of which he tries--produces a chisel from his coat pocket, and is about to insert it under the lid of the box, a loud ring at gate bell heard_) Mrs. Somerton returned. (_runs to door, L. U. E.--ring repeated_) Again! Stay--(_listening_) The window--quick! (_runs to window_) A man in the garden, and cautiously making towards this window. Who can he be? and what can be his object? Not the same as mine surely--egad, that would be comical enough. If I could only