“We musn’t all leave the house together, but go in twos and threes. Just as the clock strikes one, let every man meet at Colonel Blood’s house, and hide under the highway.” This plan was agreed to, and the Dozen separated. * * * * * Colonel Blood’s splendid town house was situated in and surrounded by large and beautiful gardens, near the river bank, not far from Whitehall Gardens. The night in question, instead of becoming clearer, got more cloudy and stormy than ever. Few persons were to be seen moving about in the streets, for the weather was too boisterous and threatening. As the neighbouring church clocks chimed a quarter to one, a stranger might have perceived sundry persons cautiously approaching Colonel Blood’s house. Some came by land, but the majority hired a boat, and quietly rowed up the river until they got fairly under the garden walls. The last two persons who arrived, and they on foot, were Captain Jack and Tom Bates. As they approached Blood’s mansion, they were accosted by two night watchmen, who wanted to know their names and business. “Name?” said Jack, indignantly. “Our business?” said Bates, striking an attitude of great importance. “Yes, name and business, gentlemen, if you please.” “And why so, knaves?” said Captain Jack. “How dare you stop two gentlemen, and ask such impertinent questions?” “We do but obey our orders, sirs,” said the night watchman, civilly. “From your dress and manner, I have no doubt you are a couple of ‘sparks’ returning home, but we have received special orders from Colonel Blood himself this very night, to allow no one to pass near his house, after certain hours, without demanding who and what they are.” “Why, you impudent fellow,” said Bates, “Colonel Blood is not in town—he left this evening.” “Ah, sirs, indeed, then you are beforehand with us—who told you?” “Why, the colonel himself, knaves,” said Bates. “How dare you stop me and my companion? We are most intimate friends of the colonel. My name is Captain Bates, an officer of the Crown.” “Captain Bates? really, I beg pardon. I did not recollect you. I’m very sorry.” “Yes, sir, we are very sorry,” said the other; “and the name of your tall friend is——” “Captain! ah, yes, Captain Jenkins,” said Jack, on the instant. “You see, Captain Bates,” said one of the watchmen, very politely, “we have especial orders from the colonel himself to allow no one to pass towards his gardens without we know they are strictly honest and respectable.” “And are not we strictly honest and respectable, then, villain?” said Bates, blustering. “Why, for two pins, I’d——” “Oh, there cannot be a doubt of that, sir,” said the trembling night watchman; “you could not be an officer of the crown, else.” “Quite right,” said Captain Jack, mollified, and drawing the patch over his eye still lower.