Emmaline had her doubts, a daylight robbery seemed risky, but as they rowed down the slugish river, she saw that  Neil had the right of it. The river was packed with vessels of all kinds, ranging from simple working boats to elaborate barges draped with silk bunting for the parties which would rage as part of Black Powder week. Even as they approached the merchant vessels they drew no more attention than any other river boat.

"It's going to be a little hard just to climb aboard," Emmaline complained.

"Nothing to it," Neil assured her. He held up a hand to forestall any argument. As if on que there was  a distant clang of the great clock in the College of Engineers. It continued to clang every few seconds, ringing out over the city. Neil counted out the beat and then hurled the grappling hook so that it bit at the same time as the chime struck. A few moments later there was a great booming off to the east.

"They are testing the guns at the college," Neil explained, "everyone will be at the starboard rail watching the display."

"Daylight robbery, what could go wrong?" Emmaline asked, but she was already shimmying up the rope towards the bulwark of the ship.