"Give me the child, or--" As he spoke the door was thrown open, and Mrs.Sheppard staggered forward.

She looked paler than ever; but her countenance, though bewildered, did not exhibit the alarm which might naturally have been anticipated from the strange and perplexing scene presented to her view.
"Take it," cried Wood, holding the infant towards her; "take it, and fly." Mrs.Sheppard put out her arms mechanically.

But before the child could be committed to her care, it was wrested from the carpenter by Rowland.
"These people are all in league with him," cried the latter.

"But don't wait for me, Sir Cecil.

Enter the house with your men.