"
She did so without a word. I wrapped my coat loosely about her head, and
before I could close it in the smoke cloud was settling down on her, even
as she lay. I was nearly done for, but she was safe for a few minutes.
Lying full length on the floor, under the window, I tied her handkerchief
to the end of the curtain-rod, thrust it through the straw, and waved it
about as vigorously as I could.
The sergeant's voice rang out. The firing ceased. The foul masses of
straw were removed. Then the scoundrel came forward and leered up at me.
"Do your terms hold good?" I shouted.
"Yes," he said.
"Colonel Waynflete and his daughter will be left at liberty to go their
way, if I surrender?"
"Yes," he said.
"Then in one minute I'll be with you," said I. Stepping inside the room,
I first of all pulled the Colonel to the window, tore loose the clothes
round his neck, and laid his head on the window-sill, in the good sweet
air. Then crawling to Margaret, I unwrapped the jacket, and said briefly,
"Force some of Kate's cordial down your father's throat. Goodbye!"
I returned to the window, clambered out, hung at arm's length, and
dropped to the ground.
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