"We have sure news that he rode, attended by an officer only, hither, and that he was seen to enter your house." "If you want Prince Rupert, you must find him," the lady said calmly.
"I say not that he has not been here; but I tell you that he is now beyond your reach." "He has not escaped," the officer said, "for the house is surrounded.
Now, madam, I insist upon your telling me where you have hidden him." "I have already told you, sir, that he is beyond your reach, and nothing that you can do will wring any further explanation from me." The officer hesitated.

For a moment he advanced a step toward her, with a menacing gesture.

But, heated as the passions of men were, no violence was done to women, and with a fierce exclamation he ordered his troopers to search the house.

For a quarter of an hour they ransacked it high and low, overturned every article of furniture, pulling down the arras, and tapping the walls with the hilts of their swords.
"Take these two ladies away," he said to his lieutenant, "and ride with them at once to Storton.

They will have to answer for having harbored the prince." The ladies were immediately taken off, placed on pillions behind two troopers, and carried away to Storton.