"Look, Bob, there is a light in that room! Do you see--through the slit in the shutters?" "So there is. Well, there is no mistake, now. There must be some fellows belonging to that cart inside. That must be the drawing room, or dining room, and they would never have lights there at this time of night. "Now, let us find out where they got in. This is something like fun. It beats rabbit hunting all to nothing. "Now mind, you fellows, if we do come upon them, and there is a fight, you remember the best place to hit, to begin with, is the ankle. You have only just got to fancy that it is a bung, and swipe at it with all your might. Anyone you hit there is sure to go down and, if he wants it, you can hit him over the head, afterwards. "Now, come along. I expect they got in at the back of the house." They soon came upon a door at the side of the house. It was open. "That looks as if they had been let in," Bob whispered. "See, there is a light in there, somewhere! Come on. "Now, let us take our shoes off." The others were thoroughly excited now, and followed Bob without hesitation. "Bob, is the key in the door?" Jim whispered. "Yes, on the inside. They have been let in. I wish I dare lock it, and take the key away. Let me see if it turns easy." Very gently he turned the key, and found the bolt shot noiselessly. It had doubtless been carefully oiled. He turned it again, shut the door, locked it, and put the key in his pocket. Then they crept on tiptoe along the passage. At the end were two large chests, strengthened with iron bands. A lighted lantern stood upon them. Bob peered round the corner into the hall. No one was to be seen, but he heard a noise through an open door, from which came a stream of light. Motioning the others to stand still, he crept forward noiselessly till he could look into the room. A man was occupied in packing some articles of massive plate, clocks, and other valuables into a sack. He was alone. Bob made his way back to the others. "There's only one fellow there," he said. "If there are any more, they are upstairs. Let us have this one first--his back is to the door. "Now, Wharton, you hold our handkerchiefs and the string. If he don't look round, I will jump on his back and have him down. "The moment he is down, you two throw yourselves on him, and you shove the handkerchiefs into his mouth, Wharton. In the surprise, he won't know that we are only boys; and we will tie his hands before he has time to resist. "Now, come on."