As if this had been a concerted signal, the back door was struck as rudely the next instant.

They were hemmed in.

But at these alarming sounds Margaret seemed to recover some share of self-possession.

She whispered, "Say he was here, but is gone." And with this she seized Gerard and almost dragged him up the rude steps that led to her father's sleeping-room.

Her own lay next beyond it.
The blows on the door were repeated.
"Who knocks at this hour ?" "Open, and you will see!" "I open not to thieves--honest men are all abed now." "Open to the law, Martin Wittenhaagen, or you shall rue it." "Why, that is Dirk Brower's voice, I trow.