Outside, two sinister figures were moving from their crouched - TopicsExpress



          

Outside, two sinister figures were moving from their crouched position among the garden shrubbery; they’d watched for tell-tale signs showing the occupants were settling down for the night. After stretching their cramped limbs, they moved to the shadow of the building, avoiding the light cast by the gas lamps, biding their time to give their victims plenty of time to go into a deep sleep. They’d done this many times before and followed their usual routine so no words were needed. One of them moved silently to the side kitchen window, pulling out the large heavy knife he always carried. Sliding it into the gap where the sash windows met, he moved the blade along until he felt it touch the fastener. A few deft practiced moves and the catch was open. He waited, watching and listening to check no-one had heard anything, before using the knife to prise open the window just enough to allow his fingers into the gap. It creaked slightly as it moved and he paused again, ever alert with his ears pricked for any sign of movement inside. All was quiet so he slowly lifted the window as far as it would go. The fellow moved with an agility which belied his size as he squeezed his bulk through the opening and climbed inside. The intruder paused again as he stood inside the room, ears cocked, before moving to the rear door where the key was hang on a hook next to it, just as Edward had described. He carefully inserted it into the keyhole and unlocked the door, before sliding the bolts from their keeps. He breathed a sigh of relief when the hinges didn’t squeak as he opened the door, his partner in crime slipped inside after taking a last look into the street to check no-one was around. He tucked his knife away into his, which he’d held ready if anyone did challenge him, into. He followed his partner into the hall; and made for the staircase to keep a lookout, while his accomplice went to the study door which was marked on the plan Edward had provided. He smiled grimly as he entered as it wasn’t locked; moving straight to the large desk, lighting the lamp but keeping the flame low. His knife was once again put to good use as he forced open the locked drawers. He found a small tin containing a few coppers, which he tipped into his pocket. And cursed silently as each drawer he opened only contained books and papers. But his cursing stopped when he opened a large bottom drawer to find it packed with paper money and full cash bags. He grinned to himself as he stuffed the lot into a bag he’d brought from inside his coat. He then moved to the door to beckon to his partner and showed him the bags contents. His partner grinned, showing blackened teeth and several gaps. He turned away and moved to the dining-room and sitting room to search for valuables and silverware. His companion crept up the stairs to go in search of jewellery. Reaching the landing he’d guessed rightly, the master bedroom was at the front of the house. The door was ajar as Annie and William wanted to be sure they would hear the children if they began crying. He pushed the door and in the flickering light from a lamp, could see the couple were sound asleep. He moved silently across the thickly carpeted room to Annie’s dressing table and began carefully stuffing valuables into his pockets. Suddenly, the silence was shattered by a baby’s cry, ‘Mama! Mama! The intruder froze, his partner downstairs stilled his hand as he was about to pick up a silver candlestick. Mama! Mama! The shrill sound echoed around the silent house once again. Annie had stirred on hearing the first cry, but at the sound of the second her eyes opened wide. She reached out and turned up the lamp as William began to stir; Annie let out a shrill scream of terror when she saw the dark hulking figure in the room, his shadow on the wall made him appear even more monstrous, William sat up with a start, his eyes trying to focus, ‘What is it Annie, what’s wrong, did you have a nightmare?’ Annie was so petrified with fear she couldn’t speak, she pointed to the door where the intruder had just darted. William looked and saw it was open wide and he could hear someone going down the stairs; he leapt out of bed to give chase, in his panic the thief had ran straight o the front door and was fumbling with the doorknob in the darkness as William caught up to him, ‘Got you!’ he shouted in triumph. The massive robber swung around, roughly shoving William to the floor, kicking out at him as he stumbled. William felt the boot graze his cheek and struggled to get back to his feet as he once again tried to get a grip on the fellow. He became aware of a movement behind him, but before he had time to react, let out a scream of anguish as he felt an agonizing pain in his back as he was savagely stabbed; grimacing in pain he fell to the floor, vaguely aware of the front door opening and two figures running out as he lost consciousness. The intruders disappeared into the night without a backward glance. from-THE POISON OF A SECOND SON
Posted on: Sun, 31 Aug 2014 16:17:26 +0000

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