A circumstance, however, had occurred, as a consequence of the concussion of air produced by the discharge of the pistol, which neither of the young men had for the moment calculated upon, and that was the putting out of the only light they there had.
In spite of this circumstance, Charles, the moment he had discharged the pistol, dropped it and sprung forward to the window.

But here he was perplexed, for he could not find the old fashioned, intricate fastening which held it shut, and he had to call to Henry,-- "Henry! For God's sake open the window for me, Henry! The fastening of the window is known to you, but not to me.

Open it for me." Thus called upon, Henry sprung forward, and by this time the report of the pistol had effectually alarmed the whole household.

The flashing of lights from the corridor came into the room, and in another minute, just as Henry succeeded in getting the window wide open, and Charles Holland had made his way on to the balcony, both George Bannerworth and Mr.
Marchdale entered the chamber, eager to know what had occurred.

To their eager questions Henry replied,-- "Ask me not now;" and then calling to Charles, he said,--"Remain where you are, Charles, while I run down to the garden immediately beneath the balcony." "Yes--yes," said Charles.
Henry made prodigious haste, and was in the garden immediately below the bay window in a wonderfully short space of time.