But the Captain stopped them, and called out—
“You there, inside, is there room to stand clear?”
“Aye, aye,” said the gruff voice; and they thought it must be a sailor, though they had no note of any captured ones.
“Are you ready?” rang out the Captain’s voice.
“Aye, aye.”
“All together!” The gun swung well back, and coming against the door like a Roman battering-ram, carried away the staple of the lock.
“Now then, my man, come out,” said the Captain; but his face suddenly changed in blank astonishment, and he drew himself up and saluted, as stump, stump, on the stone flags came into view His Majesty’s Admiral the Lord Eastry; and even blanker was his astonishment when the old Lord was followed by Katherine.
Her beautiful face was certainly anxious, but her healthy cheeks were not blanched, and fear had not robbed her of the uprightness of her carriage.
To her father death was a commonplace. He had faced it times countless, when he had all his life before him; and now it was near its end, and he had his dearest possession to defend. He had, I noticed, a sword, and a pistol of foreign make.
Captain Troubridge, having sent round search parties and satisfied himself that there were no ambuscades, was cheerily making his excuses for not recognising his lordship, when the old Admiral called out—