It was quite dark when they arrived at the house. Yorke dismounted at the gate, and told Peter to take the horse round to the other side of the house and fasten it up at some quiet spot, and then to rejoin him. On his return Hans and Peter took up their places one on each side of the door, and Yorke went up the steps and knocked. It was some little time before he was answered. He thought it likely that the men would be consulting together as to whether they would let the visitor in or not. At last the door opened. "Mr. Chambers is not in," the man said. "Whatever your business, you must come to-morrow." "My business will not wait," Yorke said, and raised the gun which he held in his hand. The man started back. "You are before your time," he said. "Nine o'clock is the hour." "This is your hour and minute, for if you make the slightest sound I will put a bullet through your brain. Neither speak nor move." The man stood paralysed, altogether unable to understand the situation. "Come in," Yorke said to his followers. "Tie this man up, and if he opens his lips put a knife into him." In a minute the fellow was laid on the ground, and securely tied hand and foot. "Don't take your eye off him, Peter. Put your knife into him if he moves. Now then, Hans." Yorke moved along the hall to a door standing open leading to the kitchen. There was a passage with an open door at the other end. "Who is the visitor, Mike?" a man's voice asked as he came along, Hans treading lightly behind him. "Of course you sent him away?" "Not exactly," Yorke replied, as he and Hans walked into the kitchen with their rifles ready for action. A girl gave a slight scream of alarm, while the men leapt to their feet, and then stood immovable as the rifles were pointed at their heads. "You are my prisoners," Yorke said sternly to them, "and if either of you moves, he is a dead man. Hans, take the fellow on the right; put your rifle by my side." "Turn round," he said to the man, "and put your hands behind you." The fellow did as he was told, and after both were securely tied up, Yorke said: "Now, take your rifle again, Hans, and shoot either of them if they try to unloose their ropes. "Do not be afraid," he went on to the girl; "we are friends of your master. Which room is he in?" "The drawing-room, sir." "Then show me into another room, and go in and tell him that an English gentleman wishes to speak to him." The girl obeyed the order tremblingly. She thought that Yorke would treat her master as he had treated the two men, but she dared not disobey. The room was in darkness, and Yorke handed her a matchbox, saying: "Go and light the lamp or candles, whichever you have. I shall stand at the door while you deliver the message. Come out directly you have given it. I do not wish to alarm the ladies." The terrified girl struck three or four matches before she could obtain a light. Then she went to a door opposite. "An English gentleman wants to speak to you, sir."