recommended that his patient should be put to bed, and that somebody
should sit by him; which Brock promised to do.

"That she-devil will murder me, if you don't," gasped the poor
Count. "You must turn her out of the bedroom; or break open the
door, if she refuses to let you in."

And this step was found to be necessary; for, after shouting many
times, and in vain, Mr. Brock found a small iron bar (indeed, he had
the instrument for many days in his pocket), and forced the lock.
The room was empty, the window was open: the pretty barmaid of the
"Bugle" had fled.

"The chest," said the Count--"is the chest safe?"

The Corporal flew to the bed, under which it was screwed, and
looked, and said, "It IS safe, thank Heaven!" The window was
closed. The Captain, who was too weak to stand without help, was
undressed and put to bed. The Corporal sat down by his side;
slumber stole over the eyes of the patient; and his wakeful nurse
marked with satisfaction the progress of the beneficent restorer of
health.

When the Captain awoke, as he did some time afterwards, he found,
very much to his surprise, that a gag had been placed in his mouth,
and that the Corporal was in the act of wheeling his bed to another
part of the room. He attempted to move, and gave utterance to such
unintelligible sounds as could issue through a silk handkerchief.

"If your honour stirs or cries out in the least, I will cut your