But I should as soon doubt Gerard as Stephen
Morley."

"Certainly."

"I cannot conceive how she traced me," said Gerard. "I have never even
breathed to her of our meeting. Would we had some water! Ah! here it
comes.

"I arrest you in the Queen's name," said a serjeant of police.
"Resistance is vain." Maclast blew out the light, and then ran up
into the loft, followed by the thickset man, who fell down the stairs:
Wilkins got up the chimney. The sergeant took a lanthorn from his
pocket, and threw a powerful light on the chamber, while his followers
entered, seized and secured all the papers, and commenced their search.

The light fell upon a group that did not move: the father holding the
hand of his insensible child, while he extended his other arm as if to
preserve her from the profanation of the touch of the invaders.

"You are Walter Gerard, I presume," said the serjeant, "six foot two
without shoes."

"Whoever I may he," he replied, "I presume you will produce your
warrant, friend, before you touch me."

"'Tis here. We want five of you, named herein, and all others that may
happen to be found in your company."

"I shall obey the warrant," said Gerard after he had examined it; "but
this maiden, my daughter, knows nothing of this meeting or its purpose.
She has but just arrived, and how she traced me I know not. You will let
me recover her, and then permit her to depart."

"Can't let no one out of my sight found in this room."

"But she is innocent, even if we were guilty; she could be nothing else
but innocent, for she knows nothing of this meeting and its business,
both of which I am prepared at the right time and place to vindicate.
She entered this room a moment only before yourself, entered and
swooned."

"Can't help that; must take her; she can tell the magistrate anything
she likes, and he must decide."

"Why you are not afraid of a young girl?"

"I am afraid of nothing; but I must do my duty. Come we have no time for
talk. I must take you both."

"By G--d you shall not take her;" and letting go her hand, Gerard
advanced before her and assumed a position of defence. "You know,
I find, my height: my strength does not shame my stature! Look to
yourself. Advance and touch this maiden, and I will fell you and your
minions like oxen at their pasture."

The inspector took a pistol from his pocket and pointed it at Gerard.
"You see," he said, "resistance is quite vain."

"For slaves and cravens,