CHAPTER X.
THOMAS THE MAN SERVANT After a great effort of self-denial John told Dorothy it was time for her to return to the Hall, and he walked with her down Bowling Green Hill to the wall back of the terrace garden.
Dorothy stood for a moment on the stile at the old stone wall, and John, clasping her hand, said:-- "You will perhaps see me sooner than you expect," and then the cloud considerately floated over the moon again, and John hurried away up Bowling Green Hill.
Dorothy crossed the terrace garden, going toward the door since known as "Dorothy's Postern." She had reached the top of the postern steps when she heard her father's voice, beyond the north wall of the terrace garden well up toward Bowling Green Hill.

John, she knew, was at that moment climbing the hill.

Immediately following the sound of her father's voice she heard another voice--that of her father's retainer, Sir John Guild.

Then came the word "Halt!" quickly followed by the report of a fusil, and the sharp clinking of swords upon the hillside.

She ran back to the wall, and saw the dimly outlined forms of four men.