"
No sound was heard in the loft above. Happily, the two lodgers might
still be asleep, so Jack said to himself, and in that case he might
still be able to carry out his plan. At any rate, there was no time
to lose, and he began softly to ascend the ladder.
When his head reached the level of the flooring he looked eagerly at
the rude couch where his guests lay. Both were fast asleep. Bradley
was still held in the power of the powerful drug which had been
mingled with his wine, and Ben had yielded to the sound and
healthful slumber which at his age follows fatigue. His boyish face
lay on his hand, and he looked innocent and happy. There was a smile
about his lips, for he was dreaming of his far-away home.
The sight might have appealed to any one less hardened than Jack
Carter, calling up memories of his own dead boy, and powerfully
appealing to what heart he had left. But Jack felt simply relieved
to find that the boy, whose wakefulness he had feared, was sound
asleep.
"All the better," he muttered. "It isn't too late, after all. Now,
Jack Carter, is your time. I hope you'll make a good haul."
Treading softly, Jack stepped to the side of Bradley.
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