he replied, in a tone of despair.
'They've followed Pennyloaf.'

It was the truth. She had been watched all day, and was now tracked to
Shooter's Gardens, to this house. Mrs. Candy struck a match, and for an
instant illuminated the wretched room; she looked at the two, and they
at length saw each other's faces. Then the little flame was
extinguished, and a red spot marked the place where the remnant of the
match lay.

'Shall I light the candle?' the woman asked in a whisper.

Neither replied, for there was a heavy foot on the stairs. It came
nearer. A hand tried the door, then knocked loudly.

'Mrs. Candy,' cried a stranger.

The three crouched together, terror-stricken, holding their breath.
Pennyloaf pressed her husband in an agonised embrace.

'Mrs. Candy, you're wanted on business. Open the door. If you don't
open, we shall force it.'

'No--no!' Pennyloaf whispered in her mother's ear. 'They shan't come
in! Don't stir.'

'Are you going to open the door?'

It was a different speaker--brief, stern. Ten seconds, and there came a
tremendous crash; the crazy door, the whole wall, quivered and cracked
and groaned. The crash was repeated, and effectually; with a sound of
ripping wood the door flew open and a light streamed into the room.

Useless, Pennyloaf, useless. That fierce kick, making ruin of your
rotten barrier, is dealt with the whole force of Law, of Society; you
might as well think of resisting death when your hour shall come.

'There he is,' observed one of the men, calmly. 'Hollo! what's up?'

'You can't take him away!' Pennyloaf cried, falling down again by Bob
and clinging to him. 'He's ill, You can't take him like this!'

'Ill, is he? Then the sooner our doctor sees him the better. Up you
get, my man!'

But there are some things that even Law and Society cannot command. Bob
lay insensible. Shamming? Well, no; it seemed not. Send for a
stretcher, quickly.

No great delay. Pennyloaf sat in mute anguish, Bob's head on her lap.
On the staircase was a crowd of people, talking, shouting, whistling;
presently they were cleared away by a new arrival of officials. Room
for Law and Society!

The stretcher arrived; the senseless body was carried down and laid
upon it--a policeman at each end, and, close clinging, Pennyloaf.

Above the noise of the crowd rose a shrill, wild voice, chanting:

'All ye works of the Lord, bless ye the Lord; praise Him and magnify
Him for ever!'

CHAPTER XXXV