They remained until hard upon ten o'clock in one house, and from thence returned straight to their inn, which was already shut up and dark, although the door had been left open for their return.
Up to their room they went, and there Lord Claud's manner suddenly changed.

He seemed to throw off his careless gaiety as if it had been a garment, and at once the lines of his face began to change and harden.

His eyes gleamed with a steady fire, and his voice lost all its soft indolence of tone.
He went to a cupboard, which he unlocked, and there Tom saw two bundles which appeared to contain clothes, and two saddles and bridles, which he knew had come from Lord Claud's stables.
He looked from them to Lord Claud in questioning wonder.
"How got they there ?" "We brought them with us--secreted in the carriage.

Now, Tom, we must no longer delay.

We have stern and quick work to do this night; and then back to London with the reward that is ours by right, though they force us to take it by violence.