Page:Moonfleet - John Meade Falkner.pdf/245

 his underneath upon the stone. But I gripped him by the wrist, and though he struggled, he was but a weak old man, and in a few seconds I had it twisted from his grasp. In a few seconds; but before they were past or the diamond was well in my hand, the door burst open, and in rushed six sturdy serving-men with staves and bludgeons.

Elzevir had given a little groan when he saw me force the window, but followed me into the room and was now at my side. "Thieves! thieves! thieves!" screamed the merchant, falling back exhausted in his chair and pointing to us, and then the knaves fell on, too quick for us to make for the window. Two set on me and four on Elzevir; and one man, even a giant, cannot fight with four, above all when they carry staves.

Never had I seen Master Block overborne or worsted by any odds; and Fortune was kind to me, at least in this, that she let me not see the issue then, for a staff caught me so round a knock on the head as made the diamond drop out of my hand, and laid me swooning on the floor.