They are searching the drawers." "Come on quietly," Leigh said to the men.

"We must take them by surprise." The door of the study was standing open, and lights burned within.
Leigh had already instructed his followers to go at once for the armed men, and to knock them down before they had time to use their muskets.

Going noiselessly up, they entered the door with a sudden rush.
The two commissaries were engaged in emptying the contents of the table drawers into a basket.

The armed ruffians had leant their muskets against the wall, and had seated themselves in comfortable chairs.

Flambard stood with his arm round his wife, looking disdainfully at the proceedings of the commissaries.
In a moment the scene changed.