The next moment a thundering crash was heard; the door burst open, and a number of armed figures bearing torches, with drawn swords in their hands, rushed with loud vociferations into the church.
"We must surrender, my son," cried Garnet.

"It will be useless to contend against that force." "But we may yet escape them," rejoined Catesby.

And glancing hastily round he perceived a small open door in the wall at the right, and pointing it out to the priest, hurried towards it.
On reaching it, they found it communicated with a flight of stone steps, evidently leading to the roof.
"Saved! saved!" cried Catesby, triumphantly.

"Mount first, father.

I will defend the passage." The pursuers, who saw the course taken by the fugitives, set up a loud shout, and ran as swiftly as they could in the same direction, and by the time the latter had gained the door they were within a few yards of it.