I will go and search for her with my hands.' 'Verily,' said Mr.Heywood with a smile, 'to fear the devil is not to run from him!--How much of her hay hath she eaten, Stopchase ?' he added, as the man returned with disconsolate look.
'About a bottle, sir,' answered Stopchase, rather indefinitely; but the conclusion drawn was, that she had been taken very soon after the house was quiet.
The fact was, that since the return of their soldiers, poor watch had been kept by the people of Redware.

Increase of confidence had led to carelessness.

Mr.Heywood afterwards made inquiry, and had small reason to be satisfied with what he discovered.
'The thief must have been one who knew the place,' said Faithful.
'Why dost thou think so ?' asked his master.
'How swooped he else so quietly upon the best animal, sir ?' returned the man.
'She was in the place of honour,' answered Mr.Heywood.
'Scudamore!' said Richard to himself.

It might be no light--only a flash in his brain.

But that even was precious in the utter darkness.
'Sir,' he said, turning to his father, 'I would I had a plan of Raglan stables.' 'What wouldst thou an' thou hadst, my son ?' asked Mr.Heywood.
'Nay, sir, that wants thinking.