'I may be sugar for all I know, shouldn't be
surprised if I was. I've been told so afore this; let me tell you _that_,
my old feller. You ain't in kidney to-night. Take another pull at little
Job,' said he, handing him the bottle, 'and we'll be off.'

Whatever Craig's contempt of the rain might be, it did not seem to extend
to other liquids; for he took the bottle, and applying it to his lips, did
not remove it until the bottom of it was not a little inclined toward the
ceiling; perhaps its elevation might even have increased, had not Jones
reminded him that it being late at night, the vessel could not be
replenished, and that there was a 'small child' to be helped after him,
who hated above all things sucking at the neck of a dry bottle.

Craig permitted the bottle to be taken from his hand, and stood with his
eyes fixed on the floor in deep thought; nor did he arouse himself until
Jones took him by the arm, and said:

'Come on; all's ready.'

Craig started at the words. 'The pistols and the glim?'

'I've got 'em.'

'And the crow-bar?'

'All snug _here_,' said Jones, touching the pocket of his great-coat.

'Good! Follow me.' Craig strode across the room, and went out.

It was a dreadful night. The rain spouted furiously from the
water-conductors, and sped boiling and foaming through the streets. The
wind too caught it up as it fell, and swept it in long sheets through the
streets; and as the two men battled their way along, it seemed actually to
hiss around them, like the long lash of a whip. The tempest had a rare
frolic that night, and right merrily did it howl over the house-tops, and
through the narrow streets; and fast and furiously did the water bubble
and boil, as it dashed on like mad to the deep river, to take refuge in
her bosom from its tormentor the hurricane.

Not a thing was stirring; not a beast. Not a man, except the two felons. A
right glorious night it was for rapine and midnight murder. The house-dog
had slunk in his straw, and the watchman was dozing away, under some shed,
or stoop, or in some dark door-way. There was nothing to stand in the way
of these enterprising men, save the fierce storm, and what cared they for
that? It was the very night for them. If it came to blows, or if a life
was to be taken, the death-cry would be lost in the howling of the wind;
it was the night of all nights for _them_; and so thought Craig and his
comrade, as they toiled along, with their heads bent down