'
She stole up-stairs in the dark, lest those without should see the
glimmer of her candle through the fanlight in the hall; and then she
spoke softly to her uncle through his locked and bolted door.
Down-stairs Stephen listened with his quickened hearing to the footsteps
gathering round the house; and presently the latch of the pantry door
was lifted with a sudden click that made him start and catch his breath;
but Jack Davies could come no further, now the rusty bolt was drawn on
the outside. There was a whispered conversation through the pantry
window, and the sound of some one getting out again; and then Stephen
crept across the dark kitchen into the hall through which Miss Anne had
gone. At the head of the staircase was the door of the master's room,
now standing open; and the light from it served to guide him across the
strange hall, and up the stairs, until he reached the doorway, and could
look in. The chamber had a low and sloping ceiling, and a gable-window
in the roof, which was defended by strong bars. Near this window was an
open cabinet, containing many little drawers and divisions, all of which
were filled with papers; while upon a leaf in the front there lay rolls
of bank notes, and heaps of golden money, which the master had been
counting over.
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