I heard footsteps
approaching. The key was again turned in the door, and a light
appeared, carried by one of two men armed with large sledge hammers.

"It is then all over with me," cried I; "and I never shall find out who
is my father. Come on, murderers, and do your work. Do it quickly."

The two men advanced without speaking a word; the foremost, who carried
the lantern, laid it down at his feet, and raised his hammer with both
hands, when the other behind him raised his weapon--and the foremost
fell dead his feet.

PART TWO, CHAPTER TWENTY FOUR.

IS FULL OF PERILOUS ADVENTURES, AND IN WHICH, THE READER MAY BE ASSURED,
THERE IS MUCH MORE THAN MEETS THE EYE.

"Silence," said a voice that I well knew, although his face was
completely disguised. It was _Timothy_! "Silence, Japhet," again
whispered Timothy; "there is yet much danger, but I will save you or
die. Take the hammer. Melchior is waiting outside." Timothy put the
lantern in the bin, so as to render it more dark, and led me towards the
door, whispering, "When he comes in, we will secure him."

Melchior soon made his appearance; and as he entered the cellar, "Is it
all right?" said he, going up to Timothy and passing me.

With one blow I felled him to the ground, and he lay insensible. "That
will do," replied Timothy; "now we must be off."

"Not till he takes my place," replied I, as I shut the door and locked
it. "Now he may learn what it is to starve to death."

I then followed Timothy, by a passage which led outside of the castle,
through which he and his companion had been admitted. "Our horses are
close by," said Timothy; "for we stipulated upon leaving the country
after it was done."

It was just dark when we were safe out of the castle. We mounted our
horses, and set off with all speed. We followed the high road to the
post town to which I had been conveyed, and I determined to pull up at
Mrs McShane's, for I was so exhausted that I could go no further. This
was a measure which required precaution; and as there was moonlight, I
turned off the road before I entered the town, or village, as it ought
to have been called, so that we dismounted at the back of Mrs McShane's
house. I went to the window of the bed-room where I had lain down, and
tapped gently, again and again, and no answer. At last, Kathleen made
her appearance.

"Can I come in, Kathleen?" said I; "I am almost dead with fatigue and
exhaustion."

"Yes," replied