He had seen much of their work along the coasts and he had heard of more of it.

He knew that this gloom and sullen quiet of St.
James hid cut-throats and pirates and thieves.

Still there was nothing ahead to alarm him.

The old man dodged the gleams of the lighted window and slunk around to the end of the great house.

Here, several feet above his head, was another window, small and veiled with the foliage wall.
With the assurance of one who had been there before the councilor mounted some object under the window, lifted himself until his chin was on a level with the glass, and peered within.