If, however, the Count d'Artigas preferred to let the vessel stay where she was, he probably had his reasons.
Not a soul was in sight on the bank, and the road, with its borders of beech trees that skirted the wall of Healthful House estate, was equally deserted.

The boat was made fast to the shore.

Then Captain Spade and his four sailors landed, leaving the boatswain in charge, and disappeared amid the trees.
When they reached the wall Captain Spade stopped and the sailors drew up on each side of the doorway.

The captain had only to turn the key in the lock and push the door, unless one of the servants, noticing that the door was not secured as usual, had bolted it.

In this event their task would be an extremely difficult one, even if they succeeded in scaling the high wall.
The captain put his ear to the key-hole and listened.
Not a sound was to be heard in the park.