The other parties in the room were little less affected with various emotions. The London attorney was making rapidly for the door, when he was met by the advancing Pigtop, who thrust him again into the apartment, and then boldly faced the priest--the latter still in his canonicals, the former dressed as a sectarian preacher. Their antipathy was mutual and instantaneous. But, ere the really reverend gentleman could begin some pious objurgation at this apparent interference with his communicant, 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 poles, and run," said I--and Pigtop together.