It was a night of festivity, when a sudden message obliged Mr.
Rawjester to leave his guests for a few hours. "Make yourselves
merry, idiots," he added, under his breath, as he passed me. The
door closed and he was gone.
An half-hour passed. In the midst of the dancing a shriek was
heard, and out of the swaying crowd of fainting women and excited
men a wild figure strode into the room. One glance showed it to be
a highwayman, heavily armed, holding a pistol in each hand.
"Let no one pass out of this room!" he said, in a voice of thunder.
"The house is surrounded and you cannot escape. The first one who
crosses yonder threshold will be shot like a dog. Gentlemen, I'll
trouble you to approach in single file, and hand me your purses and
watches."
Finding resistance useless, the order was ungraciously obeyed.
"Now, ladies, please to pass up your jewelry and trinkets."
This order was still more ungraciously complied with. As Blanche
handed to the bandit captain her bracelet, she endeavored to
conceal a diamond necklace, the gift of Mr. Rawjester, in her
bosom. But, with a demoniac grin, the powerful brute tore it from
its concealment, and, administering a hearty box on the ear of the
young girl, flung her aside.
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