Evening star., 1901-12-21

that they could catch me. But this had con-
sequences of different kind. Those who
could not take the leap stopped to empty
their muskets after me. and then. finding
the gate, they came streaming through.
Old Noll had little relish for the shooting,
and when one Of the balls, from an acct
dentally well-aimed shot, came ripping and
singing close to his ears, he shook his head
and plunged forward as though impatient
to be out Of range.
1t was a new sensation to play the part
of the fox in the hunt, but had no qualms
about the result.
l went easily across the great park, there
fore, dropped into Winthrop lane at the end,
ratified across Twinbury common, and
skirted Three-Cornered copSe, being care
full all the time to keep as much in sight CT
the hounds as the fast darkening evening
would allow.
Once I played trick on them and let
them come almost upon me. / had breathed
old Noll up the steep side of the Haunch
and once across it 1 dismounted and waited
for my pursuers. On catching sight of me
the men raised such a shout of exultation
as brought all the laggards squirting up
and they dashed toward me, making sure
of their capture.
But I was ready, and picking my way
along the zigzag sides Of the fir wood there,
carried out the plan 1 had formed. At
the bottom Of the valley. between the
Haunch and Dandy Chine. lie the Quag-
mre woods, as nasty and dangerous bit
OF country as the name could mean, and
into this l purposed to lead them by
degrees. Noll and I knew the way well
enough, but it was another case with the
fellows who were after me. I led them on,
keeping in sight till they were well into the
middle of the woods, and when reached
the sudden turn by Dead Mans corner
gave Noll his head, and away we flew along
the narrow track, leaving the men houn-
dering In the quagmire, calling to one an
other and shouting and oathing finely.
We were soon clear off, and urging the
tS hoo hod IN
the direction Of Hardinge, and ratified home
at pace which would have surprised the
soldiers indeed could they have seen 1t.
Once at Hardinge changed nv cos
saddled. and then galloped back through
the night to Lanston. I was all anxiety to
know how matters had sped there In my
absence, and hoped indeed that Master
Lovelace had already been released and
was away with young Gorham as had ar
ranged.
But to my chagrin. my ruse had been but
partly success. Capt Hilary and Sir Bur-
ton were still at the Grange and in the hall
awaiting the return of the troopers with
their captive. A number Of the guests had
arrived and were grouped about in the
rooms and hall, looking nightly i'll at ease
and uncomfortable, while Awdry was far
more distressed than before, and had been
weeping.
You have been away. Sir Godfrey" said
the captain.
or accountable to you for my movements" !"
answered brusquely. II think you have
carried this farce far enough. In truth, /
shall hold you responsible for the outrage
to which l have been subjected. Because
chose to leave here and gallop to Har-
dinge for a change of costume, your feI-
lows forsooth must needs come clattering
after me. firing their muskets and actually
putting my life to the hazard, Youru find
them now hard stuck In the bogs on the
other side OF Muttlebury Haunch But the
thing IL intolerabie. Come. Awdrey. let US
go to the guests and leave this gentleman
to do his will
The captains face darkened as I said this
while Sir Burton Prendergast gave me an
ugly: sneering look; and when Awdrey put
her hand on my arm she showed in her An
gers slip Of note and whispered. Take
It. Danger"
This farce has gone far enough, Sir
Geonrey, as you Say cried PrenderRast
growing angry and coming to us. Mistress
Awdrey win remain In my charge Have
care" he added, in whisper which could
not reach the captains ears. II know the
secret Of this statue. and shall tell 1t. un-