"
"Whoever I may he," he replied, "I presume you will produce
your warrant, friend, before you touch me."
"'Tis here. We want five of you, named herein, and all others
that may happen to be found in your company."
"I shall obey the warrant," said Gerard after he had examined
it; "but this maiden, my daughter, knows nothing of this
meeting or its purpose. She has but just arrived, and how she
traced me I know not. You will let me recover her, and then
permit her to depart."
"Can't let no one out of my sight found in this room."
"But she is innocent, even if we were guilty; she could be
nothing else but innocent, for she knows nothing of this
meeting and its business, both of which I am prepared at the
right time and place to vindicate. She entered this room a
moment only before yourself, entered and swooned."
"Can't help that; must take her; she can tell the magistrate
anything she likes, and he must decide."
"Why you are not afraid of a young girl?"
"I am afraid of nothing; but I must do my duty. Come we have
no time for talk. I must take you both."
"By G--d you shall not take her;" and letting go her hand,
Gerard advanced before her and assumed a position of defence.
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