Darkness was upon them when they came in sight of Colonel Randall's country place in the hills.

There were lights in the windows and people were making merry indoors; while outside the pursuing Nemesis and his men were wondering how and where to assault the stronghold.
"I'll jest walk up an' rap on the door," said Anderson Crow, "lettin' on to be a tramp.

I'll ast fer somethin' to eat an' a place to sleep.

While I'm out there in the kitchen eatin' you fellers c'n sneak up an' surround us.

Then you c'n let on like you're lookin' fer me because I'd robbed a hen-roost er something, an' that'll get 'em off their guard.
Once we all git inside the house with these shotguns we've got 'em where we want 'em.