That very night he started off all alone to prepare for the attempt.

It was daylight before he returned from his reconnaissance.

Next day he interviewed his two subordinates, Manders and Reilly, reckless youngsters who were as elated as if it were a deer-hunt.
Two nights later they met outside the town, all three armed, and one of them carrying a sack stuffed with the powder which was used in the quarries.

It was two in the morning before they came to the lonely house.

The night was a windy one, with broken clouds drifting swiftly across the face of a three-quarter moon.