CHAPTER XVIII.
The Men in the Sleigh Let us go back to the night on which Rosalie was seized and carried away from Mrs.Luce's front gate, despite the valiant resistance of her youthful defenders.
Rosalie had drooned Thackeray to the old lady until both of them were dozing, and it was indeed a welcome relief that came with Roscoe's resounding thumps on the front door.

Mrs.Luce was too old to be frightened out of a year's growth, but it is perfectly safe to agree with her that the noise cost her at least three months.
Desperately blue over the defection of Elsie Banks, Rosalie had found little to make her evening cheerful indoors, but the fresh, crisp air set her spirits bounding the instant she closed Mrs.Luce's door from the outside.

We have only to refer to Roscoe's lively narrative for proof of what followed almost instantly.

She was seized, her head tightly wrapped in a thick cloak or blanket; then she was thrown into a sleigh, and knew nothing more except a smothering sensation and the odour of chloroform.
When she regained consciousness she was lying on the ground in the open air, dark night about her.

Three men were standing nearby, but there was no vehicle in sight.