alberd kept the door; two or three heroes
supported the one-eyed man; who, with a loud voice, exclaimed, "Down
with your arms--no resistance! you are my prisoner, in the Queen's
name!"

And here, at this lock, we shall leave the whole company until the next
chapter; which may possibly explain what they were.

CHAPTER V. CONTAINS MR. BROCK'S AUTOBIOGRAPHY, AND OTHER MATTERS.

"You don't sure believe these men?" said Mrs. Hayes, as soon as the
first alarm caused by the irruption of Mr. Brock and his companions had
subsided. "These are no magistrate's men: it is but a trick to rob you
of your money, John."

"I will never give up a farthing of it!" screamed Hayes.

"Yonder fellow," continued Mrs. Catherine, "I know, for all his drawn
sword and fierce looks; his name is---"

"Wood, madam, at your service!" said Mr. Brock. "I am follower to Mr.
Justice Gobble, of this town: a'n't I, Tim?" said Mr. Brock to the tall
halberdman who was keeping the door.

"Yes indeed," said Tim, archly; "we're all followers of his honour
Justice Gobble."

"Certainly!" said the one-eyed man.

"Of course!" cried the man in the nightcap.

"I suppose, madam, you're satisfied NOW?" continued Mr. Brock, alias
Wood. "You can't deny the testimony of gentlemen like these; and our
commission is to apprehend all able-bodied male persons who can give
no good account of themselves, and enrol them in the service of Her
Majesty. Look at this Mr. Hayes" (who stood trembling in his shoes).
"Can there be a bolder, properer, straighter gentleman? We'll have him
for a grenadier before the day's over!"

"Take heart, John--don't be frightened. Psha! I tell you I know the man"
cried out Mrs. Hayes: "he is only here to extort money."

"Oh, for that matter, I DO think I recollect the lady. Let me see; where
was it? At Birmingham, I think,--ay, at Birmingham,--about the time when
they tried to murder Count Gal--"

"Oh, sir!" here cried Madam Hayes, dropping her voice at once from a
tone of scorn to one of gentlest entreaty, "what is it you want with my
husband? I know not, indeed, if ever I saw you before. For what do you
seize him? How much will you take to release him, and let us go? Name
the sum; he is rich, and--"

"RICH, Catherine!" cried Hayes. "Rich!--O heavens! Sir, I have nothing
but my hands to support me: I am a poor carpenter, sir, working under my
father!"

"He can give twenty guineas to be free; I know he can!" said Mrs. Cat.

"I