On this occasion, Mr.Bloundel pointed him out to Leonard Holt, and asked him if he had seen him before.

The youth's back being towards them, the apprentice unhesitatingly answered in the negative, but as the subject of investigation turned the next moment, and looked up, revealing features of feminine delicacy and beauty, set off by long flowing jet-black ringlets, Leonard started, and coloured.
"I was mistaken," he said, "I _have_ seen him before." "Is he one of the Earl of Rochester's pages ?" asked Mr.Bloundel.
"No," replied Leonard, "and you need not be uneasy about him.

I am sure he intends no harm." Thus satisfied, the grocer thought no more about the matter.

He then arranged with Leonard that he should visit the window at certain hours on alternate nights with himself, and appointed the following night as that on which the apprentice's duties should commence.
On the same night, however, an alarming incident occurred, which kept the grocer and his apprentice for a long time on the watch.

The family had just retired to rest when the report of fire-arms was heard close to the street door, and Mr.Bloundel hastily calling up Leonard, they repaired to the room overlooking the street, and found that a desperate struggle was going on below.