A glance sufficed to show the young man how matters stood.

He flew to the window, and would have passed his sword through the thief-taker's body, if the latter had not quickly interposed the person of Mrs.Sheppard, so that if the blow had been stricken she must have received it.
"Quilt!--Mendez!--Where are you ?" vociferated Wild, sounding his whistle for the third time.
"You call in vain," rejoined Thames.

"Your assistants are in my power.
Yield, villain!" "Never!" replied Jonathan.
"Put down your burthen, monster!" shouted Wood, pointing an immense blunderbuss at him.
"Take her," cried Jonathan; and, flinging the now inanimate body of the poor widow, who had fainted in the struggle, into the arms of Thames, he leapt through the window, and by the time the latter could consign her to Wood, and dart after him, he had disappeared.
"Pursue him," cried Thames to the attendants, "and see that he does not escape." The order was promptly obeyed.
"Jack," continued Thames, addressing Sheppard, who had only just recovered from the blow, and regained his feet, "I don't ask _how_ you came here, nor do I blame your rashness in doing so.

Fortunately, ever since Wild's late murderous attack, the household has all been well armed.

A post-chaise seen in the road first alarmed us.