positions the top of the stable ladder appeared above the sill of
the window. Half a minute later young Bastow's head appeared, and
he threw up the sash still higher, and stepped into the room; then
he turned and helped two men in, one after the other.

"Follow me," he said, "then you won't tumble over the furniture."

As they turned, the heavy handle of John's Thorndyke's whip fell
with tremendous force on the head of the last man.

"What the devil is that?" the other exclaimed, snatching out a
pistol and turning round, as the falling body struck him, but he
got no further. Again the heavy whip descended, this time on his
right arm; it dropped useless by his side, and the pistol fell
from his hand. Then John Thorndyke fell upon him and bore him to
the ground, snatched the other pistol from his belt, and held it
to his head.

"Now, my man," he said quietly, "if you don't surrender I will blow
out your brains."

"I surrender," the man moaned. "I believe that you have broken my
arm. Curse you, whoever you are."

The struggle between John Knapp and young Bastow was soon over.
The young fellow was lithe and sinewy, but he was no match for the
constable, who, indeed, had almost overpowered him before he was
aware what had happened.

"Has he got pistols, Knapp?" the Squire asked.