"In the first place, then, to avoid the possibility of noise or mishap, I
will give the lady a potion, which will stupefy her faculties, and cause a
deep sleep to lock up all her senses for the space of three or four hours.
I will so arrange it, that these hours shall be from eleven to three
o'clock, and what is done must be accomplished between those periods of
time. You shall, therefore, not enter number seventeen until after eleven
o'clock, and you must positively leave it before three; and you shall not
let your victim know what transpires at this house until after the Waltons
have left the city. Do you consent to these terms?"

"I suppose I must."

"Then the matter is settled. Remember the hours; I shall know if my
injunctions are disregarded, and you will fare the worse for it."

"Fear not. Come to reflect, I like your plan better than my own, as there
is less danger in it every way."

"Enough. Good night."

"Hold a moment. Is there any fastening on the door between the rooms, on
the side in number seventeen?"

"There is; but I will take care of that; and you know no one, unless well
acquainted with the spot, could tell there was a door there."

"True, true--I had forgotten that fact."

"Oh, I forgot one prohibition. You must in no case let a ray of light into
seventeen. It might render all our precautions abortive, and defeat their