I betook myself, as soon as I had received this order, to
a furnishing contractor, and, in a few hours, the house in which we
now are had assumed its late air of festival. My scheme was at
least original; and I am far from regretting an action which has
procured me the services of Major O'Rooke and Lieutenant
Brackenbury Rich. But the servants in the street will have a
strange awakening. The house which this evening was full of lights
and visitors they will find uninhabited and for sale to-morrow
morning. Thus even the most serious concerns," added the Colonel,
"have a merry side."
"And let us add a merry ending," said Brackenbury.
The Colonel consulted his watch.
"It is now hard on two," he said. "We have an hour before us, and
a swift cab is at the door. Tell me if I may count upon your
help."
"During a long life," replied Major O'Rooke, "I never took back my
hand from anything, nor so much as hedged a bet."
Brackenbury signified his readiness in the most becoming terms; and
after they had drunk a glass or two of wine, the Colonel gave each
of them a loaded revolver, and the three mounted into the cab and
drove off for the address in question.
Rochester House was a magnificent residence on the banks of the
canal. The large extent of the garden isolated it in an unusual
degree from the annoyances of neighbourhood. It seemed the PARC
AUX CERFS of some great nobleman or millionaire.
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