Page 319 - A Jacobite Exile

The man gave an exclamation of surprise and alarm, and then struggled
fiercely, but he was in the hands of one far stronger than himself. A

moment later, he felt that his assailant was not alone, for he was grasped by
the throat, and at the same time he felt something cold close round his

wrists. There was a sharp click, and he knew that he was handcuffed.

Then a low voice said, "I arrest you, in the name of the queen, for being

concerned in the robbery of the Portsmouth coach at Dorking."

Then a gag was forced between his teeth. Bewildered at the suddenness of
the attack, he ceased to struggle, and remained quiet, in the grasp of his
captors, till there was the sound of the striking of flint and steel hard by.

Then Tony came out of the parlour with a lighted candle, the highwayman
was lifted into the room, and the door was shut.

He then saw that his captors were three in number. There were two young
gentlemen, and a smaller man, who, as he looked at him, held out a badge,

and showed that he was an officer of the law. His pistols and sword were
removed, then his pockets were searched, and two watches and three

purses, with some rings and bracelets, were taken out and laid on the table.

"It came off, you see," Tony said to Charlie.

"Well, Master Nicholson, to use one of your aliases, of which you have, no

doubt, a score or more, you may consider yourself under arrest, not only for
the robbery of the Portsmouth coach three weeks ago, but of the North
coach last evening."

The prisoner started. It seemed impossible to him that that affair should be

known yet, still less his connection with it.

"You know what that means?" Tony went on grimly. "Tyburn. Now I am

going to make you a little safer still. You have been a hard bird to catch,
and we don't mean to let you slip through our fingers again."