s, told them that a conflict was going on. Both doors
were now battered with heavy pieces of timber at the same time, and
Pablo said--

"Great many robbers here."

A moment or more had passed, during which Pablo and Humphrey had both
again fired their guns through the door, when, of a sudden, other sounds
were heard--shots were fired outside, loud cries, and angry oaths and
exclamations.

"The Intendant's people are come," said Humphrey, "I am sure of it."

Shortly afterwards Humphrey heard his name called by Edward, and he
replied, and went to the door and undid the barricades.

"Get a light, Alice, dear," said Humphrey, "we are all safe now. I will
open the door directly, Edward, but in the dark I cannot see the
fastenings."

"Are you all safe, Humphrey?"

"Yes, all safe, Edward. Wait till Alice brings a light."

Alice soon brought one, and then the door was unfastened. Edward
stepped over the body of a man which lay at the threshold, saying--

"You have settled somebody there, at all events," and then caught Edith
and Alice in his arms.

He was followed by Oswald and some other men, leading in the prisoners.

"Bind that fellow fast, Oswald," said Edward. "Get another light,
Pablo; let us see who it is that lies outside the door."

"First see who is in my bedroom, Edward," said Alice, "for the dogs are
still there."

"In your bedroom, dearest? Well, then, let us go there first."

Edward went in with Humphrey, and found a man half in the window and
half out, held by the throat and apparently suffocated by the two dogs.
He took the dogs off; and desiring the men to secure the robber, and
ascertain whether he was alive or not, he returned to the sitting-room,
and then went to examine the body outside the door.

"Corbould, as I live!" cried Oswald.

"Yes," replied Edward; "he has gone to his account. God forgive him!"

On inquiry they found that of all the robbers, to the number of ten, not
one had escaped--eight they had made prisoners, Corbould, and the man
whom the dogs had seized, and who was found to be quite dead, made up
the number. The robbers were all bound and guarded; and then, leaving
them under the charge of Oswald and five of his men, Edward and Humphrey
set off with seven more to Clara's cottage, to ascertain if there were
any more to be found there. They arrived by two o'clock in the morning,
and on knocking several times the door was opened and they seized
another man, the on