When Jack opened the door for him, he gave Nick a key, saying:
“Go right up to the top of the house; there is but one room in the garret, I believe; that’s the key.”
Removing his boots, the detective ran upstairs, while Tambourine slipped out the front door and entered the kitchen by the back.
His passage through the room had not been noticed, so deeply engrossed were the others in the general fight which was going on.
Nick had no difficulty in reaching the banker’s place of confinement; and giving Mr. Field his arm to lean upon, he hurried him downstairs.
The old gentleman was free!
Not waiting to put on his boots, the detective hurried his prize as fast as was possible across the frozen fields toward Norwalk.
The village lights shone clear, and no storm-beaten mariner ever saw a haven with more delight than did Hilton Field view those flickering lights.
They had all but reached the town when Nick heard the sound of hurrying footsteps behind, and knew they were pursued.
Their pursuers overtook them, and the detective determined to make a fight for it, although there were five against him.