"How many of them do you think there were, Mr. John, sir?" one
asked presently. "I'll lay you marked a fair sight of the villains."
"There was only one man," Mr. John answered briefly.
"Only one?" the other repeated in great surprise. "For the Lord's
sake, Mr. John--only one? Why, there ain't any one man between
here and Lunnon town could stand up to you, sir, in a fair tussle."
"Well, he did," Mr. John answered. "He had the advantage, he took
me by surprise, but I never felt such a grip in my life."
"Lor', now, think of that," said the other in tones in which
surprise seemed mingled with a certain incredulity. "It don't
seem possible, but for sure, then, he don't come from these here
parts, that I'll stand to."
"I knew that much before," retorted Mr. John. "I said all the time
they were outsiders, a London gang very likely. You'll have to get
Dr. Rawson, Bates. I don't know what's up, but I've a beast of a
pain in my side. I can hardly breathe."
Bates murmured respectful sympathy as they came out of the shelter
of the trees, and crossing some open ground, reached a road along
the further side of which ran a high brick wall.
In this, nearly opposite the spot where they emerged on the road,
was a small door which one of the men opened and through which they
passed and locked it behind them, leaving Dunn without.
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