"What, ho!" shouted a voice. "Ferry wanted."
"Gad zooks!" exclaimed Dick. "As I live, 'tis Major Mowbray!"
"Major Mowbray!" echoed Alan, in amazement "What doth he here?"
"He must be on his way from York to Rookwood, I conclude," said Dick. "If he's here, I'll engage the others are not far off."
Scarcely were the words out of Dick's mouth, when further clatter was heard at the door, and the tones of Coates were heard, in altissimo key, demanding admittance.
"Let us retire into the next room," whispered Turpin, "and then admit them by all means, Conkey. And, hark ye, manage to detain them a few seconds."
"I'll do it," said Jem. "There's a bit of a hole you can peep through."
Another loud rat-tat was heard at the door, threatening to burst it from its hinges.
"Well, I be coming," said Jem, seeing the coast was clear, in a drowsy, yawning tone, as if just awakened from sleep. "You'll cross the river none the faster for making so much noise."
With these words he unbarred the door, and Coates and Paterson, who, it appeared, were proceeding to Rookwood, entered the hovel. Major Mowbray remained on horseback at the door.