Grace came flying back to the front, and drew the bolt softly. But
as she did so she heard a hammering, and found the door was fast.
Unluckily, Hope's tool-basket was on the window-ledge, and Monckton drove
a heavy nail obliquely through the bottom of the door, and it was
immovable. Then Mary slipped with cat-like step to the window, and had
her hand on the sill to vault clean out into the road; she was perfectly
capable, it being one of her calisthenic exercises. But here again her
watchful enemy encountered her. He raised his hammer as if to strike her
hand--though perhaps he might not have gone that length--but she was a
woman, and drew back at that cruel gesture. Instantly he closed the
outside shutters; he didn't trouble about the window, but these outside
shutters he proceeded to nail up; and, as the trap was now complete, he
took his time, and by a natural reaction from his fears, he permitted
himself to exult a little.
"Thank you, Mr. Hope, for the use of your tools." (Rat-tat.)
"There, my little bird, you're caged.
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