Here,
however, he met with an unlucky accident. His hat being blown off
his head, chanced to fall into the court just as one of the bailiff's
followers was knocking at the door; and this myrmidon, recognizing
it, immediately gave the alarm to his chief, who, running up-stairs
to the garret, forced open the door in a twinkling, notwithstanding
the precautions which the prisoner had taken, and, with his attendant,
pursued the fugitive through his own track. "After this chase had
continued some time," said the officer, "to the imminent danger
of all three, I found my progress suddenly stopped by a skylight,
through which I perceived seven tailors sitting at work upon a
board. Without the least hesitation, or previous notice, I plunged
among them with my backside foremost. Before they could recollect
themselves from the consternation occasioned by such a strange
visit, I told them my situation, and gave them to understand that
there was no time to be lost. One of the number, taking the hint,
led me instantly down-stairs, and dismissed me at the street
door; while the bailiff and his follower, arriving at the breach,
were deterred from entering by the brethren of my deliverer, who,
presenting their shears, like a range of chevaux de frise, commanded
them to retire, on pain of immediate death.
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