"I've hurt my head," replied Mrs. Sheppard, pressing her hand to her temples.
And then, for the first time, Wood noticed a small stream of blood coursing slowly down her cheek.
At this moment, Davies, who had completed his preparations, extinguished the torch.
"It's all over," groaned Wood, "and perhaps it's as well her senses are gone. However, I'll make a last effort to save the poor little creature, if it costs me my life."
And, with this generous resolve, he shouted at the top of his voice, "Arrest! arrest! help! help!" seconding the words with a shrill and peculiar cry, well known at the time to the inhabitants of the quarter in which it was uttered.
In reply to this summons a horn was instantly blown at the corner of the street.
"Arrest!" vociferated Wood. "Mint! Mint!"
"Death and hell!" cried Rowland, making a furious pass at the carpenter, who fortunately avoided the thrust in the darkness; "will nothing silence you?"
"Help!" ejaculated Wood, renewing his cries. "Arrest!"
"Jigger closed!" shouted a hoarse voice in reply. "All's bowman, my covey. Fear nothing. We'll be upon the ban-dogs before they can shake their trotters!"