Page 84 (1/1)

Suddenly terror laid an icy hand uponWhy had he not denounced me, then? And in the sarace; he was to be aggrandized by my downfall The drama he had prepared was to be set in scenery of his own choosing His savant fingers grasped the tiller, steering me inexorably tocoat one aistcoat another, and dressing -clothes and boots, I felt that just a single chance was left to me with honor; and I seized the passes that Sir Henry had handed me for Sir Peter and his lady, and stuffed theht up the case of pistols, ran down the stairs, flung open the door, and sla by the coach; and when he saith his pistol-case he said: "Well done, Carus! I had noa brace of pistols at such an hour"

I placed the case after he had entered the coach Dr Carmody made room for me, but I shook my head

"I ride," I said "Wait but an instant more"

"Why do you ride?" asked Sir Peter, surprised

"You will understand later," I said gaily "Be patient, gentlemen;" and I ran for the stables Sleepy hostlers in slare of the coach-house lanthorn at my shout

"The roan," I said briefly "Saddle for your lives!"

The stars were no paler in the heavens as I stood there on the grass, waiting, yet dawn must be very near now; and, indeed, the birds' chorus broke out as I set foot to stirrup, though still all was dark around e-door I nodded to the coachman, and ere off at last, I co at Sir Peter's coach-wheels, perfectly aware that I was riding for my liberty at last, or for a fall thatfull in the light of the tavern hen we clattered up--a horse at the horse-block, too, andat the side-door

At the sound of our wheels Mr Jessop appeared, hastening froravely, I asking pardon for the delay, he protesting at apology; saying that an encounter by starlight was, after all, irregular, and that his principal desired to wait for dawn if it did not inconvenience us too much