CHAPTER X.
THE RETURN FROM THE VAULT.—THE ALARM, AND THE SEARCH AROUND THE HALL.
It so happened that George and Henry Bannerworth, along with Mr. Marchdale, had just reached the gate which conducted into the garden of the mansion when they all were alarmed by the report of a pistol. Amid the stillness of the night, it came upon them with so sudden a shock, that they involuntarily paused, and there came from the lips of each an expression of alarm.
“Good heavens!” cried George, “can that be Flora firing at any intruder?”
“It must be,” cried Henry; “she has in her possession the only weapons in the house.”
Mr. Marchdale turned very pale, and trembled slightly, but he did not speak.
“On, on,” cried Henry; “for God’s sake, let us hasten on.”
As he spoke, he cleared the gate at a bound,
