"No. Stand back. Do not come into the room. Call the men, and let them wake the gardener and his son. You yourself call your father, and bid him dress and come down at once. And, Alma, keep cool and do not be alarmed. I need you, Alma, and you must help me."
Then the house was very still, and the watcher paced up and down before his prisoner in silence. There came a hasty opening of doors, and excited steps and flaring lamps in the hall.
"'Tis the young doctor. Oh! By mighty! Here's troubles!"
"Quiet, men! Keep quiet. Come in. He cannot hurt you."
The three men, shivering and anxious, peered into the room with blanched faces and chattering teeth.
"Have you a rope?"
The calm voice of the speaker reassured them, and all three volunteered to go for one.
"No. One is enough. And one of you had better go to Mr. Denny's room and help him down stairs. You, John, may stop with me."
"Gods! Sir, he will spring at me!"
"Never you fear. He's fastened into the chair. Besides——"