Flash had a pistol in his hand, but the man who was standing in front of him was struck with such violence that he fell backwards, knocking Emerson to the ground and almost upsetting Flash, and before the latter could steady himself Mark struck him with all his force under the chin.

A moment later the landlord blew out the two candies, and in the darkness the ruffians made a dash for the door, carried Tring and Ingleston off their feet, and rushed out into the lane.
"If the man who blew those candles out don't light them again at once," Gibbons shouted, "I, Charley Gibbons, tell him that I will smash him and burn this place over his head; he had best be quick about it." The landlord, cowed with the threat, soon returned with a candle from the kitchen, and lit those that he had extinguished.
"Well, Mr.Thorndyke, we just arrived in time, I fancy," Gibbons said.
"You have saved my life, Gibbons--you and the others.

How you got to know that I was here I cannot imagine.

I would have been a dead man in another half hour if you had not arrived.

I thank you all from the bottom of my heart." "That is all right, sir," Gibbons said.