"Oh, you know, all right. The feller that's courtin' ye; Jake's man."
Douglas' hands clenched hard together as he listened to these words, and it was with difficulty that he restrained himself. It would not do to rush forth just then. He must wait for the men's next move. He could not see the features of Nell's face very plainly, but the words she uttered in reply to the impudent order told of her indignation.
"How dare you come here with such a request?" she demanded. "Leave this place at once or I shall have you all arrested. I am surprised at you, Tom Totten. What will your wife say? Go home at once, and leave me alone."
"No, we don't," was the surly reply. "We're under orders, an' we won't leave until we git our man. Ye've got him in the house, so hustle him out an' be quick about it."
"He is not here," Nell replied. "And even if he were, I wouldn't let you touch him. You have all been drinking, that is what's the matter with you. I am ashamed of you all. Go away at once before you make fools of yourselves."
"We won't go, I tell ye, before we git our man. We know he's in the house, an' we're goin' to git him."
Nell's only reply was to turn quickly and shut the door in their faces.
Then a hubbub arose.
"Smash in the door," cried one.
"Break in the winder," ordered another.
Then a rush was made against the door, which gave way with a crash, and the men stumbled into the kitchen where Nell was standing.