CHAPTER XIX.
DICK PREPARES FOR A SIEGE AND COMMENCES SERIOUS OPERATIONS.
The night was well on by this time, and though he did not intend tocommence operations in Catchpole Square before midnight, there wasplenty for him to do in the meantime. He made his way, therefore, withall expedition to his lodgings, fortifying himself on the road with asubstantial meal at a cheap restaurant, and purchasing candles,matches, and half a pint of brandy. His spirits rose at the prospectof adventure; there is nothing like the uncertain to keep the blood atfever heat.
Mrs. Applebee was keeping Mrs. Pond company when he put his latchkeyin the street door. Mrs. Pond had told Mrs. Applebee of her goodfortune in securing so eligible a lodger, and Mrs. Applebee hadnarrated the conversation which Dick and her husband had had on theprevious night.
"Applebee said he never did hear a young man go on so," said Mrs.Applebee. "All I hope is he won't give you any trouble."
"What makes you say that?" inquired Mrs. Pond.
"Well, my dear, it was a queer time for a young man to be looking forlodgings on a night like that, when he couldn't see a yard beforehim."
"That was only his joke," responded Mrs. Pond; "he's as nice agentleman as ever you set eyes on. I do believe that's him coming innow. I must give him a candle."
"Oh, thank you, Mrs. Pond," said Dick, taking the candlestick fromher.
"Can I do anything for you, sir?" she asked.
"Well, yes. Perhaps you can oblige me with an empty bottle, a largeone with a cork."
She had one in the cupboard, and she brought it out to him.
"It's had vinegar it, sir."
"That won't matter. Many thanks."
In the room above Dick set about his preparations for an invasion ofSamuel Boyd's house. He made a careful examination of the rope andgrapnel, and was satisfied that the rope would bear his weight and thegrapnel catch on the top of the wall. Everything being ready, hewaited for midnight, deeming it advisable not to go out till then, forthere was no object in his roaming about the streets. He heard Mrs.Applebee bid Mrs. Pond good night, which was only preliminary to along chat between the ladies, first in the passage, afterwards at thestreet door. Then he heard the door closed, and listened to hear ifhis landlady locked it. No sound of this reached his ears, and shortlyafterwards all was silent in the house, Mrs. Pond having retired torest. For a reason which he could not have explained he tumbled thebedclothes about, as if they had been slept in. He did not possess awatch, and he had to judge the time as well as he could. When hebelieved it to be near the hour he softly left the room, locked it,pocketed the key, and stepping like a cat, went downstairs and openedthe street door. Hoping that it would not alarm Mrs. Pond he shut itas quietly as was possible, and, with the rope round his waistcoat andconcealed by his coat, he turned his face in the direction ofCatchpole Square. "I'm in for it now," he thought. "I feel like aburglar, out on his first job."