“We want George Potter!”
“You usually do, it seems.”
“And we be a-comin’ into this cottage to find him!”
“I think not!”
Here Mr. Sturton pushed his way to the fore.
“Look’ee here, you!” quoth he, wagging bodeful finger, “if you bean’t out o’ this in two minutes we’ll apprehend you as the accomplice o’ this curst smuggler, this rogue Potter as dared to fire on the King’s uniform last night. We means to get him if we ha’ to pull this cottage down. Are ye goin’ to let us in?”
“Where is your search-warrant?” demanded Sir John.
“Search-warrant be damned!” roared Mr. Oxham. “We are here to tak’ George Potter, aye—and the old witch along wi’ him——”
“And I,” answered Sir John, slim hands disappearing into coat-pockets, “am here to prevent you.”