He was told if he attempted an alarm he would be instantly
killed, but if he remained quiet his life should be spared.
Blood and his two accomplices then seized upon the crown, orb,
and sceptre, seeing which, Edwards made as much noise as he
possibly could by stamping on the floor, whereon the robbers
struck him with a mallet on the head, stabbed him with a short
sword in the side, and left him, as they thought, for dead.
Blood then secured the regalia under his cloak, one of his
companions put the orb into his breeches pocket, whilst the other
proceeded to file the sceptre that it might be more conveniently
carried.
Now, at this moment it happened the keeper's son, who had been
absent in Flanders, returned to his father's home. He who stood
sentinel asked him with whom he would speak, whereon young
Edwards said he belonged to the house, and so passed to the
apartments where his family resided. The other giving notice of
his arrival, the robbers hastened to depart, leaving the sceptre
behind them. No sooner had they gone, than the old man struggled
to his feet, dragged the gag from his mouth, and cried out in
fright: "Treason--murder--murder--treason!" On this his
daughter rushed down, and seeing the condition of her father, and
noting the absence of the regalia, continued his cry, adding,
"The crown is stolen--thieves--thieves!"
Young Edwards and another who heard her, Captain Beekman, now
gave pursuit to the robbers, who had already got beyond the main
guard.
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