r's encircling arm, and darted
to the window, but only to draw back, for there were two sentinels
talking just beneath.

Then he ran to the door, but drew back, for steps of armed men were
heard coming along the corridor, and escape was cut off there.

"Caught," he said grimly. "Poor father will not get his news."

At that moment there was the sharp summons of a set of knuckles on the
door.

CHAPTER TWENTY EIGHT.

HOW LADY MARKHAM LEFT THE HALL.

"Hist!" whispered Lady Markham, in her agitation snatching at the first
straw that offered. "They may think we are asleep, and will go away."

Vain hope; there was another sharp rapping at the door.

"Answer," said Scarlett, in a low, firm voice. "Hear what they have to
say."

"Who is there?"

"I, Fred Forrester, Lady Markham. Have the goodness to open."

"The traitor!" muttered Scar, glancing once more at the window, but the
sounds from without told him that attempt to escape there was vain, for,
if he dropped from the sill, the chances were that he would hurt
himself, and even if he succeeded in reaching the ground unharmed, the
alarm would be given by the sentinels, who would fire at him, and if
they missed, there was a detachment of horse waiting to ride him down,
for the steeds were stamping impatiently, and uttering a loud snort from
time to time.

"Why am I disturbed at this time of the night?" said Lady Markham,
trying to speak firmly and haughtily.

"I am sorry to have you disturbed, Lady Markham; but there is good
reason. My mother is here."

"A ruse," said Scarlett, softly. "Never mind, dear. It is not the
first time I have been a prisoner. It is madness to try to escape. I
surrender."

"No, no," whispered Lady Markham. "You shall not." Then aloud. "I
refuse to open my door at this time of night."

"Lady Markham, will you admit me alone to speak with you?" came now from
outside.

"Hist!" whispered Scarlett. "They do not know I'm here. Open the door.
It will be best."

As soon as he had spoken, he ran toward the great bedstead, but came
back and whispered quickly--

"Open, dear mother, and try to invent some plan to get them all away
from this room. Then I can easily escape. Quick. Open."

He darted to the bedstead, and drew one of the head curtains round him;
while driven, as it were, to obey the stronger will of her son, urged,
too, by his words about escape, Lady Markham went to the door, opened
it, and Mistress Forr