His brother slithered up and in without a sound. Several moments later, he peeked up from the gloom, just long enough to give a quick nod.
“Now you, sir.” Raven laced his hands together.
Sheffield hesitated, earning a muttered “Quickly!” Gingerly positioning his foot for a boost, he braced his palms on the sill, only to be catapulted up and into the slivered opening. His shoes scrabbled against the mortised stone, then Hawk seized his coat collar and hauled him inside.
Raven followed in a flash. After pulling the window shut, he dropped down to the carpet beside the others.
“Try to make a little less noise, sir,” he counseled. “I really don’t fancy being transported to the Antipodes for burglary.”
“We’re not planning onstealinganything,” pointed out Sheffield.
The boys ignored the protest. It appeared they were in a small parlor, and after a glance around, Raven gestured to the door leading out to the corridor. “Follow me. We need to find Lord Woodbridge’s study. Anddotry to stay light on your feet, Mr. Sheffield.”
They crept along in single file, with Hawk bringing up the rear. After several halts for Raven to dart ahead and make a quick reconnaissance, they made their way to a wood-paneled room at the rear of the townhouse, a room redolent with the masculine scents of leather and cigar smoke.
Sheffield reached for a candle and struck a spark to the wick.
Hawk scrambled over to blow out the flame. “Not yet!” he whispered. “We need to draw the draperies first.”
“Oh, er, right.”
“You’re not very good at this,” observed Raven. “It’s lucky we came with you.”
“Pay attention, and we’ll teach you how to keep your arse out of Newgate,” chimed in Hawk.
“Dare I ask how you two Weasels acquired your expertise?”
The boys exchanged sniggered laughs.
“You learn to be quick and nimble when you grow up on the street,” explained Raven as he moved to the large oak desk and began testing the drawers. “Otherwise you don’t survive—”
He gave a grunt when the bottom drawer didn’t budge, and pulled a needle-thin steel probe from his pocket. It made quick work of the lock.
“Nowyou can light the candle, sir, and do a search of the papers here while we take a look around the rest of the room.” After flint struck steel, Raven moved over to light a second candle from Sheffield’s flame. “Try not to make too much of a mess.”
“I think I can manage that,” said Sheffield dryly.
“You know what you’re looking for?” asked Hawk.
“I may be a bit bumbling on my feet, but yes, I’ll know what’s important when I see it. You two keep an eye out for any other papers or financial documents. But most importantly, look for any clue of where Woodbridge and Lady Cordelia might have gone. A letter, a guidebook, a map—”
“Right. Now let’s get to work,” urged Raven. “One of the keys to illegal entry, sir, is to be in and out as quickly as possible.”
The three of them fell to their appointed tasks, working swiftly and silently in the dim light. Sheffield made a few low sounds in his throat as he sorted through some papers and shoved several sheets into his pocket. He shifted and was just reaching into the very back of the drawer when Raven froze and waved a frantic signal to blow out the candles and be still.
Steps.The sound was almost imperceptible. But someone was moving stealthily down the corridor. Raven darted a look at the curtained window, then shook his head at Hawk, indicating it was too late to flee. Instead, he grabbed up a heavy brass candlestick from the sideboard and rushed to take up a position atop the side table by the door.
Hawk signaled Sheffield to join him behind the sofa. “Be ready to run,” he whispered just as the door latch rattled.
There was a moment of silence, and then the catch released.
Raven raised the candlestick and held his breath.
With a faint creak, the door slowly swung open. The shadows stirred as a tall, black-clad figure moved cautiously into the study.
Another half step would give Raven the perfect angle to strike.
The figure appeared to hesitate, then slid a booted foot forward....
