"You call in vain," rejoined Thames. "Your assistants are in my power. Yield, villain!"
"Never!" replied Jonathan.
"Put down your burthen, monster!" shouted Wood, pointing an immense blunderbuss at him.
"Take her," cried Jonathan; and, flinging the now inanimate body of the poor widow, who had fainted in the struggle, into the arms of Thames, he leapt through the window, and by the time the latter could consign her to Wood, and dart after him, he had disappeared.
"Pursue him," cried Thames to the attendants, "and see that he does not escape."
The order was promptly obeyed.
"Jack," continued Thames, addressing Sheppard, who had only just recovered from the blow, and regained his feet, "I don't ask how you came here, nor do I blame your rashness in doing so. Fortunately, ever since Wild's late murderous attack, the household has all been well armed. A post-chaise seen in the road first alarmed us. On searching the grounds, we found two suspicious-looking fellows in the garden, and had scarcely secured them, when your mother's cries summoned us hither, just in time to preserve her."
"Your arrival was most providential," said Jack.
"You must not remain here another instant," replied Thames. "My horse is at the door, saddled, with pistols in the holsters,—mount him and fly."
"Thames, I have much to say," said Jack, "much that concerns your safety."