Outside, the hall door was beginning to groan and rock.

They were forcing it.
Full of terror now, she seized Mr.Gerzson's arm.
"Sir, sir! robbers are upon us.

Awake, awake.

This is no time for slumber." But Mr.Gerzson still slumbered on--he might have been dead.

In vain she tore him away from the table, he fell back again all of a heap and went on slumbering.
The strangers were now in the hall, and a heavy hand was trying the latch of the guest chamber.
"My God, my God!" moaned Henrietta, wringing her hands and rushing up and down the room, terrorstricken, not knowing where to look now for refuge.
A violent thud resounded against the door.