d I had sent him to watch for her and to
take her to Sir Richard's house, the snow being deep and the storm
violent. My name and Sir Richard's fell so glibly from the fellow's
tongue that she, suspecting nothing, entered the coach. Within three or
four minutes the coach stopped, but she thought nothing of it, supposing
the way was blocked.

While waiting, two men wrapped to their eyes in greatcoats came up, one
on either side of the coach, entered, threw a cloak over her head, and
bound her hand and foot. Immediately the coach started, but presently it
stopped again, and Frances had an opportunity to speak to the girl who
had come to see Betty. Fortunately a buttonhole in the cloak which the
men had thrown over Frances's head happened to fall over one of her eyes,
and thus enabled her to see the girl.

* * * * *

When our pursuers turned back, we reduced our speed, so that the journey
might be easier for Betty, who had moaned at every jolt, and when the
coach went smoother she fell asleep.

After we had all been silent for a long time, Frances said:--

"I have been thinking it all over, cousin Ned, and if Master Hamilton,
that is, George, wishes it, I will go with him, regardless of
consequences. I am tired of the fight."

"What?" I cried, startled almost to anger.

"Do not run me through, Ned," cried Hamilton. "This is the first
intimation I have had of her purpose, and to save myself from slaughter
at your hands, I hasten to say that I will not accept her sacrifice. It
were kinder in me to kill her than to marry her."

We all laughed to cover our embarrassment, and George said ruefully:
"The king, I fear, will settle the question without consulting us. De
Grammont tells me that his Majesty believes I am in London and that he
is eager to give a public entertainment on Tyburn Hill, wherein I shall
be the principal actor. Now our beloved monarch's hatred will be
redoubled, for he will suspect that I helped in the rescue to-night."

"Do you suspect him of being privy to the outrage tonight?" asked
Frances.

"I know it. There is no villainy he would not do, provided it required no
bravery," said George.

"But we must not let the king know that we suspect him," I suggested. "He
may be innocent of the crime. I shall know the truth before to-morrow
night."

"Did you see him at Merlin House?" asked George, turning to Frances.

"No," she answered. "It seems that the drivers of the