Page 34 - A Jacobite Exile

In five minutes he heard a twig snap, and then a figure came along,
noiselessly, and placed itself at the window. Charlie gave him but a

moment to listen, then he sprang forward, and, with his whole strength,
brought his cudgel down upon the man's head. He fell like a stone. Charlie

threw open the window, and, as he did so, the curtain was torn back by his
father, the sound of the blow and the fall having reached the ears of those
within.

Sir Marmaduke had drawn his sword, and was about to leap through the

window, when Charlie exclaimed:

"It is I, father. I have caught a fellow listening at the window, and have just

knocked him down."

"Well done, my boy!

"Bring lights, please, gentlemen. Let us see what villain we have got here."

But, as he spoke, Charlie's head suddenly disappeared, and a sharp

exclamation broke from him, as he felt his ankles grasped and his feet
pulled from under him. He came down with such a crash that, for a
moment, he was unable to rise. He heard a rustling in the bushes, and then

his father leapt down beside him.

"Where are you, my boy? Has the scoundrel hurt you?"

"He has given me a shake," Charlie said as he sat up; "and, what is worse, I

am afraid he has got away."

"Follow me, gentlemen, and scatter through the gardens," Sir Marmaduke
roared. "The villain has escaped!"

For a few minutes, there was a hot pursuit through the shrubbery and
gardens, but nothing was discovered. Charlie had been so shaken that he

was unable to join the pursuit, but, having got on to his feet, remained
leaning against the wall until his father came back.