"Where are you ?" "Here," replied Mrs.Wood.

"Help--I'll hold him!" "Leave her," cried Jack, darting down stairs, amid a furious ringing of bells,--"the house is alarmed,--follow me!" "Curses light on you!" cried Blueskin, savagely; "since you won't be advised, take your fate." And seizing her by the hair, he pulled back her head, and drew the knife with all his force across her throat.

There was a dreadful stifled groan, and she fell heavily upon the landing.
The screams of the unfortunate woman had aroused Thames from his slumbers.

Snatching-up his pistols, he rushed to the door, but to his horror found it fastened.

He heard the struggle on the landing, the fall of the heavy body, the groan,--and excited almost to frenzy by his fears, he succeeded in forcing open the door.