Page:The Mysterious Warning - Parsons (1796, volume 4).djvu/150

 not a voice heard.—This appeared extraordinary; however, two resolute men went before up the stairs to the apartment where Ferdinand had heard them the preceding evening; the door was open; the room empty; chairs, tables, and trunks, all in disorder.—They looked at each other.

"What can this mean?" cried Ferdinand

They run from room to room, on that floor which was the lower one; then ascended, searched the house through; it was entirely empty, not only of its inhabitants, but of the vast riches the man had boasted of.

"The villain has betrayed us," said Ferdinand; "they are all off."

They descended to the cellars, and there found the little door wide open, and all clear. "Twas now plain they had all taken their flight; and to have discovered and irritated such a band of ruffians, was a very serious business. The steward lamented his interference; he had no doubt but that they would return, and murder every one at the castle.