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"'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be

that you can jump it.'

"As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the

passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark

rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a

butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom,

flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and

wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be

more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I

hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between

my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used,

then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance.

The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at

the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round

him and tried to hold him back.