The two players now stood game and game. The third game or the rubber was to decide it. It began, and was quickly played, but by the merest chance of bad luck Alick lost it by a single point. “Lost it!” gasped Captain Jack. “Yes,” said Alick; “by the merest chance in the world.” The friends of old Gingles were in ecstacies, and carried him out of the room in triumph, but not before the old man had well-nigh filled his large pockets with his winnings. Captain Jack was like a madman. He raved and cursed and swore in the most frightful manner. He called every one the hardest and the worst names he could think of, and wanted to fight anybody or everybody. Alick was just as noisy. He swore that he had been cheated, swindled, robbed, and whatever else his imagination could conjure up. So noisy and turbulent was he, and “the noble captain,” that the gentlemen at last bundled them both out into the street. There they stood out in the cold with drawn swords, and using the most dreadful language. “Never mind,” said Alick, “we will best old Gingles yet.” “What do you mean?” “I know where he lives.” “Well?” “Let us hasten to his house, and, as he returns home, let us set upon him, and fleece him of everything.” “Not a bad idea. I can quickly wake up a dozen lads who will do the trick in no time.” “Never mind calling in assistance, surely two strapping fellows like us can easily ‘settle’ the old man, and the money will be our own.” “Agreed,” said Captain Jack. “I’ve got a black mask in my pocket.” “So have I.” “Then when we assail him let us wear them, and speak not a word.” This plan was agreed to, and the two intended robbers set out on their journey. They had a mile or two to go, but by quick walking they soon arrived at the residence of old Gingles. “It don’t look like a gentleman’s house,” said Captain Jack. “Why, it stands by the river side, like a huge warehouse for goods.” “So it does,” said Alick, “and I’ve often heard it whispered that he is engaged in secret with smugglers, robbers, and the like, or why is he so wealthy?” “I think as you do from the looks of the place,” said Captain Jack. “But I wonder if he has returned yet.” “What time is it?” “Why, four o’clock,” said Captain Jack, who thought for an instant of his engagement with the prisoner, Phillip Redgill. “Then he must have returned.” “Hang the luck! Who is that, though, whose shadow just now passed across the blinds? There it is again.” “Why, that is the old rascal, for a hundred pounds!” said Alick, in a tone of great disappointment. “What shall we do?” “Do? Why, we’ll knock, and demand admittance in the name of the Crown, and search his premises for stolen goods.” “An excellent idea,” said Alick, rubbing his hands, “and as he lives alone, why, we can rob him of every farthing he’s got in cash!” “So we will; but are you sure that he lives alone?” “I am; there is but one old servant in the whole place, and he is over sixty years of age.”