“There lies the money,” he said, speaking directly to Segrave, “take it, sir, for I had never the intention to touch a penny of it....  This I swear by all that I hold most sacred....  Take it without fear or remorse—­even though you thought such evil things of me ... and let him who still thinks me a thief, repeat it now to my face—­an he dare!”

Even as the last of his loudly uttered words resounded through the room, there was a loud knock at the door, and a peremptory voice commanded: 

“Open! in the name of His Highness, the Lord Protector of England!”

In the dead silence that followed, the buzz of a fly, the spluttering of wax candles, could be distinctly heard.

In a moment with the sound of that peremptory call outside, tumultuous passions seemed to sink to rest, every cheek paled, and masculine hands instinctively sought the handles of swords whilst lace handkerchiefs were hastily pressed to trembling lips, in order to smother the cry of terror which had risen to feminine throats.

“Open! in the name of His Highness, the Lord Protector of England.”

Mistress Endicott was the color of wax, her husband was gripping her wrist with a clutch of steel, trying, through the administration of physical pain, to keep alive her presence of mind.

And for the third time came the loud summons: 

“Open! in the name of His Highness the Lord, Protector of England!”

Still that deathly silence in the room, broken only now by the firm step of Endicott, who went to open the door.

Resistance had been worse than useless.  The door would have yielded at the first blow.  There was a wailing, smothered cry from a dozen terrified throats, and a general rush for the inner room.  But this door now was bolted and barred, Sir Marmaduke—­unperceived—­had slipped quickly within, even whilst everyone held his breath in the first moment of paralyzed terror.

Had there been time, there would doubtless have ensued a violent attack against that locked door, but already a man in leather doublet and wearing a steel cap and collar had peremptorily pushed Endicott aside, who was making a futile effort to bar the way, after he had opened the door.

This man now advanced into the center of the room, whilst a couple of soldierly-looking, stalwart fellows remained at attention on the threshold.

“Let no one attempt to leave this room,” he commanded.  “Here, Bradden,” he added, turning back to his men, “take Pyott with you and search that second room there ... then seize all those cards and dice and also that money.”

It was not likely that these hot-headed cavaliers would submit thus quietly to an arbitrary act of confiscation and of arrest.  Hardly were the last words out of the man’s mouth than a dozen blades flashed out of their scabbards.

The women screamed, and like so many frightened hens, ran into the corner of the room furthest out of reach of my Lord Protector’s police-patrol, the men immediately forming a bulwark in front of them.