Wildney, as the lightest of the four, was to take the birds, while the others held the ladder.
Slanting it so that it should be as far from the side of the window as possible, Wildney ascended and thrust both hands into the cot.

He succeeded in seizing a pigeon with each hand, but in doing so threw the other birds into a state of such alarm that they fluttered about in the wildest manner, and the moment his hands were withdrawn, flew out with a great flapping of hurried wings.
The noise they made alarmed the plunderer, and he hurried down the ladder as fast as he could.

He handed the pigeons to the others, who instantly wrung their necks.
"I'm nearly sure I heard somebody stir," said Wildney; "we haven't been half quiet enough.

Here! let's crouch down in this corner." All four shrank up as close to the wall as they could, and held their breath.

Some one was certainly stirring, and at last they heard the window open.