The next moment the door was burst open with a loud crash, and several armed men, with their swords drawn, followed by Topcliffe, and another middle-aged man, of slight stature, and rather under-sized, but richly dressed, and bearing all the marks of exalted rank, rushed into the room.
"You are my prisoner!" cried Topcliffe, rushing up to Chetham, who had planted himself, with Martin Heydocke, at the foot of the stairs.

"I arrest you in the King's name!" "You are mistaken in your man, sir," cried Chetham, fiercely.

"I have committed no offence.

Lay a hand upon me, at your peril!" "How is this ?" cried Topcliffe.

"Humphrey Chetham here!" "Ay," returned the young merchant; "you have fallen upon the wrong house." "Not so, sir," replied Topcliffe.