Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1908-04-04
SATURDAY. .... APRIL 4. 1908.
duty to awaken his lordship."

N--t-tf
''If you make a sound I'll blow out
your brains. Now, do you under
stand? don't intend to steal the
horses. Youll find them well at some
wayside inn 90 miles from here. Mean
while. we will have to tie you up aud
gag you"
Mercy. my lud." began the coach
man.
Now, we mean YOU no harm. All
you have TO do is 10 keep quiet. You'll
be released in the morning"
Very well my lud." returned Hig-
ginbotham. to whom the shining
weapon was a powerful persuader.
Straps and other bits Of harness
hung about the room. At a nod from
Strathgate Ellen handed him several
pieces OF leather AID the coachmau
was soon bucklod hard and fast, his
hands behind his back, his feet tied
together and gag In his mouth Ellen
had kept in the background and she
was certain she had not been recog-
nized. She laid guinea down on the
mans table after he had been bound
securely and followed Strathgate out
Of the room.
They found Deborah shiverlng with
cold and terror in the shadow and
greatly relieved at their safe arrival
To enter the stable was easy. Three
OF the stable boys were there They
were devoted 20 Lady Ellen. She had
TO trust some one. she went boldly
20 their quarters. aroused them and
told them she was going away. II
anyone objected-she handled her
weapon threateningly, II they be-
haved themselves. there was a guinea
apiece for them on the table. They
would have TO submit 20 being tied
and gagged. which indeed they were
willing 20 do for only thus could they
escape their masters wrath when he
found his wife. his friend and his
horses gone.
The stable boys made no objection
during the process and swOre that II
they were tightly bound so that there
was no appearance OF connivance on
their part, no alarm should be given
until the morning. Strathgate and
Ellen trussed them up as they had
done the coachman and then started
FOR the horses
Which are the best pair for travel
ing. / wonder?" queried the earl as
he. Ellen and Deborah surveyed the
long row OF stalls.
Il have heard my lord say that the
bays were the most reliable horses
he had"
"The ba~s itn be, then" said strath-
gate.
And now I cannot help you" said
Ellen.
And now l need no help. madam"
returned the earl.
He quickly selected the harness. led
out the bays and in a few moments
the two We're attached 70 a light trav-
cling carriage.
Where now?" said Strathgate when
all the preparations had been com
pleted
We are going TO Portsmouth. as l
think ] told you, my lord"
Very good" said Strathgate. I'll
drive, / suppose?"
If you will be so good"
Get In. then you and Mistress
Deborah. and we will start away"
God send we may win safely past
the house. There's no other way TO
get TO the high road except around by
the drive"
Il shall put TIE horses on the turf
and keep on the gravel so far as pos
sible," said Strathgate. and l think
Wen probably get away without any
alarm being given"
Strathgate was an expert whip and
he found no difficulty in keeping the
spirited horses going quietly over the
grassy turf which bordered the drive
way and as he had predicted. they got
past the house without making a
sound. But one obstacle remained be-
tween them and freedom-the lodge
keeper and the lodge gate. Ellen had
forgotten IT until they had gone some
thing like quarter OF a mile through
the park, when she suddenly thrust
her head out OF the window OF the
carriage and called It to Strathgates
attention.
Let me attend TO that" returned
the earl, confidently. Il have a plan
Do you keep close and let the curtains
be drawn"
He drove close 10 the wall OF the
lodgekeeper's cottage. hammered on
the window with the butt Of his whip.
and when that functionary appeared,
Strathgate boldly avowed his name
and title and said that he was riding
forth on a wager with my lord; that
he would be back in the morning. He
held up handful OF guineas and babe
the keeper peremptorily TO come out
and open the gate. The startled man,
having no reason to suppose that any
thing was wrong and recognizing my
lord as a guest of the house, did as he
was bid. pocketed his guineas and
piled back into bed again, maryeling
much ere he dropped asleep at the
ways of these gentlefolk. The blinds
OF the carriage were drawn and he
had no idea that he was promoting the
escape OF his masters wife and her
friend.
The road from the lodge gate ran
for about half a mile through the park
until Ii joined the main road. Ports
mouth lay 10 the eastward, TO the
westward was Plymouth. Having