He used to disguise himself as a drummer--for his father was in the army, and he himself was a drummer in his boyhood; and his object in preventing you from bringing a military party to the cavern was merely that he might have an opportunity of giving them notice of your intentions.

I now say that if you lose an hour's time they will be gone." Sir Robert did not lose an hour's time.

The local barracks were within a few hundred yards of his house.

A party of military were immediately called out, and in a short time they arrived, under the guidance of Hennessy, to the very mouth of the cavern, which he disclosed to them.
It is unnecessary to detail the particulars of the search.

The soldiers entered it one by one, but found that the birds had flown.