Thus concealed from the eyes of any chance watcher, he contrived to
approach one end of the terraced slope which formed the garden front of
the castle. Each terrace was adorned with stone balustrades, surmounted
by large vases, also of stone; and, sheltered by these vases, Milsom
ascended to the southern angle of the great pile of building.
Seven lighted windows at this southern end of the castle indicated the
apartments occupied by the heiress of Raynham and her eccentric
guardian. The lights burned but dimly, like the night-lamps left
burning during the hours of rest; and Milsom had ascertained from Mr.
Harwood that the household retired before eleven o'clock, at the
latest.
The apartments occupied by the little girl were on the first floor. The
massive stone walls here were unadorned with ivy, nor were there any of
those elaborate decorations in stonework which might have afforded a
hold for the foot of the climber. The bare stone wall frowned down upon
Thomas Milsom, impregnable as the walls of Newgate itself.
"No," he muttered to himself, after a long and thoughtful scrutiny; "no
man will ever get at those rooms from the outside; no, not if he had
the power of changing himself into a cat or a monkey. Whoever wants to
have a peep at the heiress of Raynham must go through this valiant
captain's chamber. Well, well, I've heard of tricks played upon
faithful watch-dogs before to-day.
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