In the midst of the uproar I had not lost sight for a moment of the main purpose of my errand, and as soon as I saw that the issue of the fight was decided I called Uncle Moses to my side and asked him eagerly to lead me to his mistress’ sitting room.  We went along a passage and up a flight of stairs to the floor above, coming then to another corridor which was in darkness.

“Missy’s room at de end,” said the negro.

With beating heart I hurried along behind him, and we came to an open door.  I knocked upon it, and entered.  The room was dark, but the window was open, and the jalousies not having been closed it was possible to see that no one was there.

“Missy gone to bed,” said Moses; “de bedroom is just dar.”

He pointed to a closed door in the wall.  Loath as I was to disturb Mistress Lucy, I was still more anxious that she should know of my presence; so I went to the door and rapped briskly upon it.  There was no answer.  I rapped again, more loudly, but still without result.  She was either fast asleep or—­and the thought struck me with a chill—­she was no longer there.

“Where is Mr. Vetch’s room ?” I asked, beset by a great anxiety.

“I show Massa,” replied Uncle Moses.

He led me from the room, and along a passage that branched from the other.  There was a thread of light beneath a door at the end.

“Dat is Massa Vetch’s room,” said the negro.

I went to it and tried the handle.  The door was locked.  I thumped upon it with my fist, and was answered with a curse.

“Settle your drunken quarrels yourselves,” cried the well-remembered voice.  “What is it to me if you break each other’s skulls?”

Clearly he had heard the uproar and taken it to be a brawl among the buccaneers.  ’Twas like Vetch to shut himself aloof from the disputes of his hirelings; he was ever careful of his skin.  Affecting a harsh and surly voice I cried that the quarrel was over and asked him to open the door:  I had news from Spanish Town.  Another oath saluted me; then I heard the sound of movements within, and the door was thrown open.

Instantly I sprang in, the negro at my heels; he closed the door behind me; and I stood once more face to face with Cyrus Vetch.

His sallow cheeks blanched when lie saw me.  No doubt ’twas the apparition he least expected.  He whips out his sword and springs back to have space to cut at me; but I parried the stroke with my musket, and he skipped back and entrenched himself behind the table.  I own that I could have cheerfully slain him there and then but for my anxiety concerning Mistress Lucy’s whereabouts.  There was Vetch, glaring at me from behind the table, upon which, as I now saw, there were books and money, and two lighted candles.

“You have no right here,” said Vetch, and his voice was unsteady, “breaking into my house—­”

“Your house!” I replied.  “And as for right, I have the right of every honest man to catch a villain and present him to the hangman.”