He knocked and rang loudly, and it was some time before the door was opened. At length it was unlocked and opened by no less a person than Tim, the groom. Directly he saw Colonel Blood, he would have run away, but the colonel seized him by the throat, and gave the unlucky youth such a shake as made his limbs to curl up like shavings. “Make any noise, and I’ll choke you, villain,” said the colonel. “Where is your master!” “Which master?” Tim groaned. “Old Sir Richard.” “He is in the parlour, talking to a young lady who is sick.” “Take in this card, then, and be quick.” While Tim was gone, Blood opened the door ajar. His four confederates noiselessly entered, and hid themselves for a moment on the kitchen stairs, until they should have ascertained where Ellen Harmer’s apartment was. “Colonel Blood!” said old Sir Richard, in much surprise, as he walked into the hall. “May I ask your business with me? it must be of some great consequence, or you would not have called at this unreasonable hour?” “I would not, Sir Richard—my information is of the utmost importance to you, and brooks no delay.” “Come this way then, colonel; I will not ask you into my breakfast parlor, for I have a fair young woman there, who has been lying insensible for the last hour or more.” “Indeed!” “Yes, it is a painful story, as far as I can understand; but come this way, colonel, into the dining room. Tim, go down to the cellar and bring a bottle of wine for the colonel.” “Yes, Sir Richard,” said Tim, and off he went towards the cellar with great glee, for it must be confessed Master Tim was seldom sent to the wine cellar without helping himself to the very best advantages. He had not got further than the kitchen stairs, however, when an ominous squeak was heard like that of some unlucky rat who has shoved his head into a steel trap. “Be ye men or devils! Have mercy on a poor unfortunate youth, who was born to be kicked and cuffed like a dog by every one.” “Silence!” said Blood’s confederates, “or we will kill you.” They instantly gagged and bound Master Tim, and for fear he should be in the way or give any trouble, they opened a window and pitched the poor groom into a dust-hole beneath, like a bundle of rags. Quicker than can be described, the four men stealthily entered the breakfast parlour, closed the door again, and perceived Ellen Harmer lying on a couch, attended by two old nurses. When the four masked men made their sudden and noiseless appearance in the room, one of the nurses frantically clutched her gin bottle, took a hasty drink, and pretended to swoon. The other, who was an old maid of fifty, seized the poker, and made a brave stand to defend her virtue from the intruders. But finding that none so much as even attempted to kiss her, she felt disgusted, disconsolate, and fainted, kicking up her heels high in the air. In less than three minutes, the four masked men had secured and bore away Ellen Harmer without alarming the household.