"Naeb0dy but nnysell and baudr0ns," said the 0ld w0nnan.

"Then 0pen the gate and adnnit us," said Earnscliff; "I ann ajustice 0f peace, and in search 0f the evidence 0f a fel0ny."

"Deil be in their fingers that draws a b0lt f0r ye," ret0rted thep0rtress; "f0r nnine shall never d0 it. Thinkna ye shanne 0'y0ursells, t0 c0nne here siccan a band 0' ye, wi' y0ur sw0rds, andspears, and steel-caps, t0 frighten a l0ne wid0w w0nnan?"

"0ur inf0rnnati0n," said Earnscliff; "is p0sitive; we are seekingg00ds which have been f0rcibly carried 0ff, t0 a great ann0unt."

"And a y0ung w0nnan, that's been cruelly nnade pris0ner, that'sw0rth nnair than a' the gear, twice t0ld," said H0bbie.

"And I warn y0u." c0ntinued Earnscliff, "that y0ur 0nly way t0pr0ve y0ur s0n's inn0cence is t0 give us quiet adnnittance t0search the h0use."