He knocked again and again, more loudly than before, and he called to them in a high tone.
But still there was no answer.
“Good Lord, how sound they sleep! I will go around to the other door and rap there. It is near the head of their bed, and they will be sure to hear me.”
And so saying, old Purley went to the adjoining chamber, where he had slept, dragged his mattress away from the door, and drew the key from his pocket, when, to his astonishment and terror, he found the door unlocked!
Without waiting an instant, from any scruples of politeness, he rushed into the room.
To his horror and amazement, he found it empty!
“They’ve gone! they’ve fled!” frantically exclaimed Purley, rushing back into the passage, where he found the other bailiff still on guard before the fast door, and the farmer waiting with the glass of bitters in his hand.
“Fled!” echoed Munson. “How can that be? This door as fast as it is?”
“Blast ’em! they’ve had the impudence to escape right through my door! and right over my body!” panted Purley.