I saw the danger. In the then condition of the marriage laws, the maid Nancy was practically helpless. If the priest went through a form of service, even without the maid's assent, Otho could, by means of the testimony of the landlord of the inn, claim that a legal marriage had taken place. What was to be done, therefore, would have to be done quickly. "Where are your horses, Amelia?" She pointed to the house in which they were stabled. "You can saddle them without any one knowing?" "Aw, iss sur." "Do, then." With that I turned towards the front door of the inn again; and I must here confess that I hugely enjoyed the situation. The love of adventure was strong upon me, and I laughed at the thought of thwarting the Killigrews. I owed the landlord a debt for deceiving me. I therefore went to the spot where I had left Chestnut, and, having taken some stout cord from my saddlebag, came back, and, on trying to open the door, found it barred. Then I knocked sharply. "Who's there?" It was Boundy, the landlord, who spoke. "Come, Boundy," I cried, "open the door quick; there's no time to lose." "Es that you, sur?" he responded, and immediately drew back the bolts. No sooner had he done so than I caught him and dragged him outside. "Make a sound, and you are a dead man!" I said, in a whisper. Something in my voice, I suppose, told him that I meant what I said, for he made no sound, neither did he struggle when I bound him hand and foot. He was no stronger than a lad of twelve, and very little heavier. I therefore took him to the stables, where Amelia Lanteglos had gone. "Amelia," I said, "here's the landlord. You need not be afraid. He's bound. But if he makes a noise, stuff some hay in his mouth." The girl grasped the situation in a second. "Oal right, sur," she said with a grin, and I knew I could trust her. Then I went back and entered the inn, closing the door after me, and silently bolting it. I heard the murmuring of women in the kitchen behind; evidently they knew nothing of what had taken place. After this I made my way to the room in which Otho Killigrew had taken Mistress Nancy Molesworth. CHAPTER XV. THE SCENE AT A WAYSIDE INN. I was about to knock when I heard the sound of voices. "And do you think," I heard a voice say, which I recognized as Mistress Nancy's, "that although you force me into this marriage, I shall really be your wife?" "Ay, that you will." It was Otho who spoke in his low, mocking way. "But I will not be your wife. I despise you, loathe you." "That feeling will soon pass away when you are the wife of Otho Killigrew. You will love me all the more for being so determined to have you. And I--well, I would a thousand times rather have this than an ordinary wedding. Clement and Father O'Brien will soon be here. I thought I heard his voice a few seconds ago." "But I will die sooner than wed you!"