"Sir, sir! robbers are upon us. Awake, awake. This is no time for slumber."
But Mr. Gerzson still slumbered on—he might have been dead. In vain she tore him away from the table, he fell back again all of a heap and went on slumbering.
The strangers were now in the hall, and a heavy hand was trying the latch of the guest chamber.
"My God, my God!" moaned Henrietta, wringing her hands and rushing up and down the room, terrorstricken, not knowing where to look now for refuge.
A violent thud resounded against the door. Someone had placed his shoulder against it. Henrietta clung to the table to save herself from falling.
At last the lock burst, the door flew open, and Fatia Negra with two masked companions stood before the lady. The same instant Henrietta recovered her presence of mind. At a pace's distance from danger she ceased to tremble and calmly addressed them: "What do you want?"
"Why are you not asleep now like your companion?" enquired Fatia Negra in a low voice.
One of his comrades approached the sleeper and held the barrel of his pistol to his temples. In Fatia Negra's hand there was only a dagger.
"Don't wake him," he whispered to Henrietta, "for if he should but raise his head his brains will be blown out."
"Do him no harm!" implored the lady. "I will give you everything you want. Here is my pocketbook, here are my jewels, and you shall have my watch too. See, I will draw off my rings, only don't touch me. But if possible let me keep this round ring for it is my wedding ring."