Making a sign to the Sandman, who was close at his heels, the Tinker crept forward on all fours, and, on reaching the window, raised himself just sufficiently to command the interior of the dwelling. Unfortunately for him, the moon was at this moment obscured, and he could distinguish nothing except the dusky outline of the various objects with which the place was filled, and which were nearly of the same kind as those of the neighbouring habitation. He listened intently, but not the slightest sound reached his ears. After some time spent in this way, he began to fear the young man must have departed, when all at once a piercing scream resounded through the dwelling. Some heavy matter was dislodged, with a thundering crash, and footsteps were heard approaching the window. Hastily retreating to their former hiding-place, the Tinker and his companion had scarcely regained it, when the young man again appeared on the plank. His demeanour had undergone a fearful change. He staggered rather than walked, and his countenance was even paler than before. Having crossed the plank, he took his way along the top of the broken wall towards the door. "Now, then, Sandman!" cried the Tinker; "now's your time!" The other nodded, and, grasping his mallet with a deadly and determined purpose, sprang noiselessly upon the wall, and overtook his intended victim just before he gained the door. Hearing a sound behind him, the young man turned, and only just became conscious of the presence of the Sandman, when the mallet descended upon his head, and he fell crushed and senseless to the ground. [Illustration: The Ruined house in the Vauxhall Road] "The vork's done!" cried the Sandman to his companion, who instantly came up with the dark lantern; "let's take him below, and strip him." "Agreed," replied the Tinker; "but first let's see wot he has got in his pockets." "Vith all my 'art," replied the Sandman, searching the clothes of the victim. "A reader!--I hope it's well lined. Ve'll examine it below. The body 'ud tell awkvard tales if any von should chance to peep in." "Shall we strip him here?" said the Tinker. "Now the darkey shines on 'em, you see what famous togs the cull has on." "Do you vant to have us scragged, fool?" cried the Sandman, springing into the vault. "Hoist him down here." With this, he placed the wounded man's legs over his own shoulders, and, aided by his comrade, was in the act of heaving down the body, when the street-door suddenly flew open, and a stout individual, attended by a couple of watchmen, appeared at it. "There the villains are!" shouted the new-comer. "They have been murderin' a gentleman. Seize 'em--seize 'em!" And, as he spoke, he discharged a pistol, the ball from which whistled past the ears of the Tinker. Without waiting for another salute of the same kind, which might possibly be nearer its mark, the ruffian kicked the lantern into the vault, and sprang after the Sandman, who had already disappeared.