Then, he caught me up again, took me down the steps in his arms, and dropped me at the foot, while he ran back and shut the trap.

I was nearly smothered by this time, scarcely half conscious, and the man must have realized my condition, for, when he came back, he loosened the wrap about my face.
This enabled me to breathe again freely, but I was so weak I could not get up, and he was obliged to drag me across the cellar floor.

I struggled still to escape, and succeeded in getting the cloth lifted so I could see out a little with one eye, but the light was poor, and the man kept hidden behind where I couldn't get even a glimpse of his face." One of the men passed us going back into the kitchen, and she paused a moment until he had gone by, Miles and I waiting impatiently.
"He didn't seem to know what to do with me.

I don't think he intended any injury, and only seemed anxious to escape himself.

I tried to talk, but he would not answer a word.