"I was never more resolved to go forward. There is villainy hatching-- completing. Wrap your cloak closely about your countenance; don't mistake the wind for groans, nor the waving branches of cedar-trees for hearse-plumes, but follow me." "Who's afraid?" said Pigtop. His chattering teeth answered the question. As I was prepared for everything, I was not surprised to find the principal door open, and the hall filled with iron-bound cases and several plate-chests. As we stepped into the midst of these, completely muffled in our cloaks, a fellow came and whispered to us, "Is all ready?" "Hush!" said I. "Oh, no fear--they are at prayers in Sir Reginald's bedroom--he is going fast--he is restless--he cannot sleep." "Where are the servants?" "Snoring in their nests." "And who is with Sir Reginald?" "Nobody but the priest, and his son, Master Ralph--without the lawyer has gone up since; he saw all right about the chaise. But am I on the right lay?" "Surely. Joshua Daunton and I--" "Enough--you're up to trap--so lend us a hand, and let us take the swag to the shay--though swag it ain't, for it's Josh's by deed of law. Sir Reginald signs and seals to-night, as they say he can't live over to-morrow." "No there is no occasion to stir yet. Which is the way to Sir Reginald's room? I must speak one word to Joshua before we start. I know the countersign--it will bring him out to me in a moment. I would advise you, in the meantime, just to step to the chaise and see all right, and bring it up nearer the door quietly--mind, quietly, for these boxes are damned heavy." "You're right there," said the accomplice, and departed on his errand, after previously showing me the staircase that led to the apartment of my sick father. When the rascal's steps were no longer heard, "Now, Pigtop," said I, "show your pluck, help me to lock and bar the hall-door--good--so one bloodhound is disposed of; he dare not make a noise, lest he should rouse the establishment. Now follow me--but, hark ye, no murder: the reptile's life must be spared." Pigtop made no answer, but pointed to his scarred and disfigured lip, with a truly ferocious grin. It is necessary for the fully understanding of the catastrophe that ensued, that I describe the site of the old building in which such startling events were passing. The front approach was level from the road; but on the back there was a precipitous, and rugged, and rocky descent, up to the very buttresses that supported the old walls--not, certainly, so great or so dangerous as to be called a precipice; for, on the extreme right wing of the rear of the house, it was no more than a gentle inclination of the soil, deepening rapidly towards the left, and there, directly under the extremity of that wing, assuming the appearance of a vast chasm, through the bottom of which a brawling stream chafed the pointed stones, on its way to the adjacent sea.