nicant, Pigtop indulged in one of the
heaviest oaths that vulgarity and anger together ever concocted, and
straightway went and seized the crouching Joshua, and lugged him before
the agonised father, exclaiming, "Warrants out against him, Sir
Reginald, for burglary, forgery, and assassination--he is my prisoner."

The craven had not a word to say--his knees knocked together--he was a
pitiable object of a terror-stricken wretch. Sir Reginald already began
to look down upon him with contempt: and my heart bounded within me,
when I already found him leaning parentally on my shoulder. "Speak,
trembler!--is this person the veritable Ralph Rathelin?"

"Pity me, pardon me, and I will confess all."

"Splits!" said the attorney, and vanished through the now unguarded
door.

"Speak!"

"This gentleman is your lawful son--but I also--"

"No more--escape--there is gold--escape--hide yourself from the eye of
man for ever!"

"No," said Pigtop, giving him a remorseless shake. "Do you see this
scar?"

"Let him go instantly, Pigtop!--obey me--I have promised his mother--it
is sacred."

"For my sake!" said Sir Reginald.

At this instant, the steward rushed in, partly dressed, crying out, "Sir
Reginald, Sir Reginald, the constables and the magistrates have broken
down the hall-door, and are now coming upstairs, to arrest the
housebreakers--they have packed up all the plate, and it lies in the
hall, ready to be carried off?"

"My God! It is too late," said Sir Reginald, wringing his hands.

"No," said I; "let him escape by the window. Be so good, sir," said I
to the priest, "to secure the door--we shall gain time. Hold it as long
as you can against all intruders. The scaffolding will enable the
culprit to reach the ground with comparatively little danger."

The priest obeyed; and not only fastened the door, but also barricaded
it with furniture.

"Now, Pigtop," said I, "if you wish to preserve my friendship, assist
this poor wretch to escape--he is paralysed with his abject fears.
Come, sir," addressing Joshua, "you will certainly be hung if you don't
exert yourself."

"He'll be hung yet," said Pigtop sulkily. "But I am an old sailor, and
will obey orders--nevertheless, I know that I shall live to see him
hung. Come along, sirrah!"

Between us, we led him to the window. We then thrust him out, and he
stood shivering upon the cross-boarding of the scaffolding level with
the window-sills.

"Slide down the pol