A suspicion was enough; my lord's liveried retainers proclaimed an instant crusade against these people, and were promptly joined by the community in general.
The woman's husband had been active with the mob, and had not returned home until nearly dawn.

He was gone now to find out what the general result had been.

While we were still talking he came back from his quest.

His report was revolting enough.

Eighteen persons hanged or butchered, and two yeomen and thirteen prisoners lost in the fire.
"And how many prisoners were there altogether in the vaults ?" "Thirteen." "Then every one of them was lost ?" "Yes, all." "But the people arrived in time to save the family; how is it they could save none of the prisoners ?" The man looked puzzled, and said: "Would one unlock the vaults at such a time?
Marry, some would have escaped." "Then you mean that nobody _did_ unlock them ?" "None went near them, either to lock or unlock.