No more time was to be lost; Clarence shouted aloud, but the high wind probably prevented the sound reaching the ears of the burglars, or at least rendered it dubious and confused.

The next moment, and before Clarence could repeat his alarm, they had opened the door, and were within the neighbouring garden, beyond his view.

Very young men, unless their experience has outstripped their youth, seldom have much presence of mind; that quality, which is the opposite to surprise, comes to us in those years when nothing seems to us strange or unexpected.

But a much older man than Clarence might have well been at a loss to know what conduct to adopt in the situation in which our hero was placed.

The visits of the watchman to that (then) obscure and ill-inhabited neighborhood were more regulated by his indolence than his duty; and Clarence knew that it would be in vain to listen for his cry or tarry for his assistance.