‘Yes. I told you I would.’
‘You fool!’ answered Preene; ‘you’ve only fallen into a trap. We’re tracked, every one of us. Hark!’
At that moment there came a loud rap at the door.
Marston turned ghastly white, and looked for some means of escape. Heckett drew a revolver from his pocket and turned like a beast at bay.
‘Tell the girl not to open the door!’ cried Preene; and Marston went to the top of the stairs and shouted down to the terrified girl to stay where she was.
The knocking was repeated louder and louder. Heckett gave a glance at the hall window. It was high, and looked on to the garden.
‘I’m d.-d if I’m going to be taken like a rat in a hole,’ he shouted; and he leapt out into the darkness.
There was a cry, a fierce oath, and then the sound of a shot, and footsteps hurrying across the garden.
Seth Preene ran to the window.
Marston, pale as death, followed him. ‘What shall we do?’ he whispered; ‘the place is surrounded.’