However, he continued to follow the boy, and soon came in sight of a neat little cottage, painted white, and both quickening their steps, soon arrived before the door.
The boy gave three sharp raps upon it, and it was immediately opened by a rough-looking man, who bade them enter.
Robert’s suspicions were now fully aroused, and he demanded if a man by the name of Ellerton was waiting for him there.
The man replied that there was, and Robert, with a rather doubtful air, entered.
In an instant the door was shut and barred. A heavy hand was laid upon his shoulder, while a pistol covered his heart, and the same rough voice said:
“Make the least disturbance, and you are a dead man.”
“What means this violence, villain?” demanded Robert, thoroughly alarmed.
“It means that you are my prisoner.”
“For what offense?”
“Oh, you will know all in good time, my proud youngster,” replied Hans Weichel, senior, with a coarse laugh.