Ben had sprung to his feet, and made for the door of the room, although he had his knife in his hand. The fact is, this fellow wanted the nerve to be a murderer when any one resisted at all. He might have been an assassin, but he had not the courage to engage in a struggle.
‘Kill her, I say!’ cried Blodget.
‘No, no!’ said the lady, and springing to her feet, she with a rush made her way into the servant’s room; and slammed the door shut in Blodget’s face.
‘Curses on her! you have let her escape.’
‘I could not help it,’ said Ben.
‘Here, there is no time to be lost now—she will rouse the neighborhood. Take this pillow-case, which I have filled with the swag. We must be content with it. I will see to her and be with you in a moment.’
‘Yes—yes, I will go—’
‘No further than the head of the stairs, though.’
‘No—no.’
Blodget made a rush at the door of the room into which she had retreated; but it was too strong for him, and by great good fortune there had chanced to be some very effectual mode of fastening it on the inside. Blodget heard a lumbering noise in the room, that he could not make out.