" This terrified
Grace Hope. She had read of the villainies that had been done under cover
of that accusation, which indeed has too often prevented honest men from
interfering with deeds of lawless violence. But she had all her wits
about her, woman's wit included. She let them drag her past the cottage
door. Then she cried out with delight, "Ah! here is my father." They
followed the direction of her eye, and relaxed their grasp. Instantly she
drew her hands vigorously downward, got clear of them, gave them each a
furious push that sent them flying forward, then darted back through the
open door, closed it, and bolted it inside just as Monckton, recovering
himself, quickly dashed furiously against it--in vain.
The quick-witted villain saw the pressing danger in a moment. "To the
back door or we are lost!" he yelled. Bartley dashed round to that door
with a cry of dismay.
But Grace was before him just half a minute. She ran through the house.
Alas! the infernal door was secure. The woman had locked it when she went
out.
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