"You mean?"
"You must run away."
"But the door is locked."
"There remains the window."
"The window!" she repeated, trembling.
"You would find it easy enough with my help."
"Quick, then!" she exclaimed, and held out her hand.
"Wait," said I, and turned back into my room. Hereupon, having
locked the door, I got into my boots, slipped on my coat and
knapsack, and, last of all, threw my blackthorn staff out of the
window (where I was sure of finding it) and climbed out after it.
The porch I have mentioned, upon which I now stood, sloped
steeply down upon two sides, so that I had no little difficulty
in maintaining my foothold; on the other hand, it was no great
distance from the ground, and I thought that it would be easy
enough of descent.
At this moment the lady reappeared at the lattice.
"What is it?" I whispered, struck by the terror in her face.
"Quick!" she cried, forgetting all prudence in her fear, "quick
--they are coming--I hear some one upon the stair. Oh, you are
too late!" and, sinking upon her knees, she covered her face with
her hands. Without more ado I swung myself up, and clambered
over the sill into the room beside her. I was looking round
for something that might serve me for a weapon, when my eye
encountered a tall oak press, a heavy, cumbersome affair, but,
save the bed, the only furniture the room possessed. Setting my
shoulder to it therefore, I began to urge it towards the door.
But it was soon apparent that I could not get it there in time,
for the creeping footstep was already close outside, and, next
moment, a key was softly inserted in the lock.
"Quick! hide yourself!" I whispered, over my shoulder, and,
stepping back from the door to give myself room, I clenched my
fists. There was a faint creak as the key turned, the door was
opened cautiously, and a man's dim figure loomed upon the
threshold.
He had advanced two or three paces on tiptoe before he discovered
my presence, for the room was in shadow, and I heard his breath
catch, suddenly, and hiss between his teeth; then, without a
word, he sprang at me. But as he came, I leapt aside, and my
fist took him full and squarely beneath the ear. He pitched
sideways, and, falling heavily, rolled over upon his back, and
lay still.
As I leaned above him, however (for the blow had been a heavy
one), he uttered a groaning oath, whereupon, pinning him
forthwith by the collar, I dragged him out into the passage, and,
whipping the key from the lock, transferred it to the inside and
locked the door. Waiting for no more, I scrambled back through
the casement, and reached up my hand to the lady.