The words brought to my memory what Mrs. Penn had said, about a sword hanging by a single hair over Mr. Chandos and his family. I don't think he knew what he was about. He walked across the hall towards the stairs, hesitated, and came back, listening evidently for the knocking of the police; all in the deepest agitation and alarm. "It may be well for me not to go!" he muttered. "Better that I should be here to face them when they enter! Anne, run you and find Hill: bring her hither quickly: but make no alarm." I knew it was the hour of supper in the housekeeper's room, and ran to it. Hill was seated at the head of the table, the upper-servants round her. "Mrs. Hill," I said, appearing among them without ceremony, "Mr. Chandos wants you for a moment. Instantly, if you please." "There! His hand has burst out bleeding again!" surmised Hickens, who occupied the chair opposite Hill. Mrs. Hill said nothing, but rose and followed me. As we passed through the hall, there came a loud ring at the front door, and a knocking at it as if with sabres. "Hill," Mr. Chandos whispered, drawing her into the oak-parlour, and there was a world of dread and terror in his tone, "the police are outside the house, mounted." She shrieked out aloud, making the room ring. The woman actually trembled all over. "Hush!" interrupted Mr. Chandos. "Don't lose _your_ senses, Hill." "Oh, Mr. Harry! the police at last! It's what I have dreamt of ever since that awful night!" "Well, you and I must be calm. You know the plan decided upon; if it ever came to this. I may not go; I must stay and face it. Make you haste! And—Hill! _lock_ the outer door of the east wing on the outside; Mrs. Chandos must not see these men." Hill did not stay to listen. She appeared to take in all, and was flying up the stairs, breathless and panting. There came another ring, another noise as with the sabres: and Robin, one of the under men, who was coming across the hall, increased his speed. Mr. Chandos arrested him. "Robin, desire Hickens to attend himself. I wish it." The man turned back, and Mr. Chandos stood for a moment against the wall, his hands on his pale face. "Mr. Chandos!" I said, in emotion great as his, "why are you afraid? what dreadful thing is it! Confide in me! tell me!" "That you may run from me, as the rest will do! You have said the word, Anne—dreadful. That is it." Hickens was advancing to the hall. Mr. Chandos went out to him; I looked from the parlour-door. "Hickens," said Mr. Chandos, speaking with apparent carelessness, "these may be the police at the door. If so, they may enter." "Them police again, sir!" returned Hickens, in consternation. "Weren't they satisfied with their last visit? Whatever can they want at this hour?" "That's my business," replied Mr. Chandos. And Hickens turned to the entrance. "What a cowardly donkey that Joseph is, barring up the house before bedtime!" quoth Hickens to himself as he threw wide the door.