While he was meditating a reply, Markland hurriedly entered the room--alarm depicted in his countenance. Startled by his looks, Constance and Monica immediately came forward. "You must instantly return to your hiding-place, sir," said the butler to Atherton. "The officers are here, and mean to search the house. Fortunately, the drawbridge is raised, and I would not allow it to be lowered till I had warned you." "Are you sure they are the officers?" exclaimed Constance. "Quite sure. I have seen them and spoken with them. They have a warrant." "Then it will be impossible to refuse them admittance." "Impossible," cried the butler. While this conversation took place, Atherton had opened the secret door in the bookcase, but he now came back, and said to the priest: "You must bear me company, father. I shall feel safer if I have you with me." "But I may be of use in misleading the officers," said Father Jerome. "Markland will take care of them. He can be trusted. Come along!" And seizing the priest's arm, he dragged him through the secret door. As soon as this was accomplished, Markland rushed out of the room, and hurried to the porter's lodge. CHAPTER VIII. THE SEARCH. No sooner was the drawbridge lowered than several persons on horseback rode into the court-yard. By this time, some of the servants had come forth with lights, so that the unwelcome visitors could be distinguished. The party consisted of half a dozen mounted constables, at the head of whom was Mr. Fowden, the Manchester magistrate. Ordering two of the officers to station themselves near the drawbridge, and enjoining the others to keep strict watch over the house, Mr. Fowden dismounted, and addressing Markland, who was standing near, desired to be conducted to Miss Rawcliffe. "Inform her that I am Mr. Fowden, one of the Manchester magistrates," he said. "I will explain my errand myself." "Pray step this way, sir," rejoined Markland, bowing respectfully. Ushering the magistrate into the entrance hall, Markland helped to disencumber him of his heavy cloak, which he laid with the magistrate's cocked-hat and whip upon a side-table, and then led him to the library--announcing him, as he had been desired, to Constance, who with her cousin received him in a very stately manner, and requested him to be seated. "I am sorry to intrude upon you at this hour, Miss Rawcliffe," said Mr. Fowden; "but I have no option, as you will understand, when I explain my errand. I hold a warrant for the arrest of Captain Atherton Legh, late of the Manchester Regiment, who has been guilty of levying war against our sovereign lord the king; and having received information that he is concealed here, I must require that he may be immediately delivered up to me. In the event of your refusal to comply with my order, I shall be compelled to search the house, while you will render yourself liable to a heavy penalty, and perhaps imprisonment, for harbouring him after this notice."