The
night itself was almost pitch-dark, and very wet. It was as nearly black
with darkness as a night can be. So far, the enterprising adventurers had
been successful, and we will now leave them in their chosen retreat,
engaged on the longer operation of forcing open the iron safe. For it had
been arranged between them that the iron safe should be opened then and
there. Though the weight to him who had taken it out of Lizzie's room had
not been oppressive, as it had oppressed the tall serving-man, it might
still have been an incumbrance to gentlemen intending to travel by railway
with as little observation as possible. They were, however, well supplied
with tools, and we will leave them at their work.
On the next morning Lizzie was awakened earlier than she had expected, and
found not only Patience Crabstick in her bedroom, but also a chambermaid,
and the wife of the manager of the hotel. The story was soon told to her.
Her room had been broken open, and her treasure was gone. The party had
intended to breakfast at their leisure, and proceed to London by a train
leaving Carlisle in the middle of the day; but they were soon disturbed
from their rest.
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