Nell of Shorne Mills
Page 258"The countess," replied Burden, still reluctantly.
He nodded.
"I must have that key, Fan. Yes, yes! Remember what we are playing for,
you and me! You get that key and put it in the corner of the windowsill
where I was standing to-night."
"No, no!" she panted. His arm loosened, and he looked down at her
coldly.
"You mean that you won't? Very well, then. But look here, my girl, we
mean having these diamonds, with or without your help. You can't prevent
us, for I don't suppose you'd be low enough to split and send me to
"Ted! Ted!" she wailed, and put her arms round him.
He smiled to himself over her bowed head.
"What's the best time? While they're at dinner?"
She made a sign in the negative.
"No," she whispered, setting her teeth, as if every word were dragged
from her. "No; the maid will be in the room putting the countess' things
away; afterward--while they are in the drawing-room."
He bent and kissed her, his eyes shining eagerly.
"There! You've got more sense than I have, by a long chalk! I should
you'll put the key on the sill--when? Say ten o'clock. And you'll see,
Fan, that the little window on the back staircase isn't locked, and
keep at watch for us?"
"No, no!" she panted. "I will not! I cannot! I--I should faint! Don't
ask me, Ted; don't--don't, dear! I shall say 'I'm ill'--and I shall
be--and go to bed!"
"Not you!" he said, cheerfully and confidentially. "You'll just hang
about the landing and keep watch for us; and if there's any one there to
spoil our game, you'll go to the window and say, just loud enough for us
She hid her face on his breast, struggling with her sobs.
"Why, what is there to be afraid of!" he said. "If all's clear we shall
have the things in a jiffy, and if it isn't we shall take our hook as
quietly as we came, and no one will be the wiser. Should you like
Boulogne, Fan, or should you like Brussels? We could be married directly
we got on the other side. Boulogne's not half a bad place, and you'd
look rather a swell at the Casino."
It was the irresistible argument again. She raised her head.
"You--you will go quietly; there will be no--no violence, Ted?"