To Harbottle's

"Whenever there is authority, there is a natural inclination to disobedience."-Thomas Chandler Haliburton

A block away from Harbottle's-

"Here you are boys," said Duncan as he pulled his horse and carriage to a halt.

"Thanks for the lift Duncan," said Peter who handed the man a handful of coins that he had knicked the day before.

"Anytime lad."

Peter and the crew clambered out of the carriage, each one thanking Duncan in turn, and then formed at the entrance to an alley.

"Appreciate the ride Duncan," Fox said with a smile.

"You lads watch yourselves," Duncan warned, "The rich folks here do not take kindly to strangers."

"We'll be fine Duncan," said Peter with a smile full of confidence, "This isn't anything we can't handle."

"I'm sure you lads can handle anything that comes your way," said Duncan with a sad feeling in his heart, "Be careful."

And with that Duncan and his horse and carriage headed off back toward Whitechapel.

"Duncan seemed sort of sad," said Nibs, "I mean his voice seemed like something was worrying him."

"It's probably nothing," added Curly who didn't quite believe his own words. There was something about the whole night that seemed wrong and after hearing the tone in Duncan's voice he knew he wasn't the only one. Peter, what are you getting us into?

As he pulled away from the boys, Duncan couldn't help but feel worried. He had known the boys and their mentor Jimmy Hook for years, as a matter of fact; he had known Jimmy for over 2 decades. He knew what kind of people they were. He knew they engaged in crime and did disreputable things but he also knew that each one would give his life for any of the others. They were good people. And Duncan hated when bad things happened to good people. Tonight he had a feeling deep in his bones that something terrible was about to happen to the boys. He soon passed by the Church of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, crossed himself, and said a short prayer.

"Lord, please watch over them lads, watch over them."

The Whitechapel Fencing Academy-

After having another meeting with Jeffries, Jimmy returned to the academy to make a quick check on the boys before he headed out.

He felt a small twinge of guilt for not bring the boys along but he knew that despite their eagerness to take the job they were still too young. Peter felt that they were ready but Jimmy knew that they were more bravado and daring than anything else. They had skill but not in the level needed for tonight's job. They also lacked the appropriate amount of finesse that would be needed; the only exception was Slightly. The rotund boy had as much finesse as Hook, he just needed more experience before taking on something the magnitude of Harbottle's.

Jimmy made his way to the door leading to the boy's quarters and slowly opened it. He quietly tip-toed down the steps and stopped.

All of his boys were sound asleep beneath their covers. He smiled and quietly turned, heading back up the steps.

Then he stopped. It was quiet…too quiet.

There was no sound coming from the bunks, no snoring. There was always snoring.

Oh you didn't. Jimmy thought as he turned back and went down the steps. He came to Tootle's bunk first and pulled the covers back to reveal a pile of clothes and a ball instead of a boy.

Angrily he reached for another bunk, Twins', and pulled the covers back. No Twins.

Jimmy took a deep breath and then headed up the steps, threw on his jacket and coat, and quickly began his way to Harbottle's.

He needed to hurry, with a little luck and the help of an approaching carriage he could possibly get to Harbottle's before the boys.

Unfortunately the boys were already distracting the night guard at Harbottle's.

Harbottle's-

The sound of sharp popping tore the guard's attention away from the wooden model of the Eiffel Tower that he had been so intent on finishing during tonight's shift. He swore to himself and moved to the front door of the shop.

Looking out he saw a pair of waifs, a tubby one holding a cup and another with his face made up with white makeup and what appeared to be a thin mustache, looking in at him.

"Penny for the Guy Mister?" asked the tubby one.

"It's September!" the guard yelled back at the two who were a little under two months early for Guy Fawkes night.

Suddenly something came into view and exploded. Firecrackers, the boys had firecrackers and were no doubt itching for a good whipping.

Following the firecracker came a third boy. This boy danced into view and took up a position behind the little Guy Fawkes and sang out, "Penny for the Guy! Penny for the Guy! Penny for the Guy!"

The guard gritted his teeth in annoyance and then turned back toward his desk to fetch the club that he kept there from his time as a guard at the Bedlam Royal Hospital; the home for many "mentally deranged" patients.

Before he reached his desk and club he saw something small dart in front of him. A rat!

"Now where did you come from?" he asked the rodent.

He forgot about the street urchins outside and quickly captured the rat. He opened the backdoor to release the vermin and never saw the cricket back coming.

Peter smiled as he watched Fox knock the unfortunate guard unconscious. Everything was going as planned, he just hoped that Jimmy wouldn't see this as an act of disobedience but as an act of initiative.

On the way to Harbottle's-

Jimmy Hook sat in the carriage and did his best to suppress his displeasure with Peter. All of the boys had disobeyed him but it was Peter who had put them up to it. The unofficial leader of the band of juvenile criminals had somehow persuaded his friends into following him to Harbottle's. Now each of them was at risk of being caught and if they were caught they would not be sent to a workhouse. No, if old Harbottle himself or his fellow bigwigs had their way the boys would end up in prison and Jimmy couldn't have that. He would never allow his boys to suffer like that. They were a responsibility that he took as seriously as his own life. Still however, he couldn't help but feel displeasure at Peter's insolence.

"Dammit Peter, why don't you ever listen to reason!" Hook said to the empty carriage. You're just like your father!