ling. "I've no presentiment that
this is the last bill I shall ever pay."

The bill was brought and settled. As Turpin paid it, the man's conduct
was singular, and awakened his suspicions.

"Are our horses ready?" asked Dick, quickly.

"They are, sir," said the landlord.

"Let us be gone," whispered Dick to King; "I don't like this fellow's
manner. I thought I heard a carriage draw up at the inn door just
now--there may be danger. Be fly!" added he to Jerry and the Magus.
"Now, sir," said he to the landlord, "lead the way. Keep on the alert,
Tom."

Dick's hint was not lost upon the two bowlers. They watched their
comrades; and listened intently for any manifestation of alarm.

_CHAPTER III_

_A SURPRISE_

Was this well done, Jenny?--_Captain Macheath._

While Turpin and King are walking across the bowling-green, we will see
what has taken place outside the inn. Tom's presentiments of danger were
not, it appeared, without foundation. Scarcely had the ostler brought
forth our two highwaymen's steeds, when a post-chaise, escorted by two
or three horsemen, drove furiously up to the door. The sole occupant of
the carriage was a lady, whose slight and pretty figure was all that
could be distinguished, her face being closely veiled. The landlord, who
was busied in casting up Turpin's account, rushed forth at the summons.
A word or two passed between him and the horsemen, upon which the
former's countenance fell. He posted in the direction of the garden; and
the horsemen instantly dismounted.

"We have him now, sure enough," said one of them, a very small man, who
looked, in his boots, like Buckle equipped for the Oaks.

"By the powers! I begin to think so," replied the other horseman. "But
don't spoil all, Mr. Coates, by being too precipitate."

"Never fear that, Mr. Tyrconnel," said Coates; for it was the gallant
attorney: "he's sure to come for his mare. That's a _trap_ certain to
catch him, eh, Mr. Paterson? With the chief constable of Westminster to
back us, the devil's in it if we are not a match for him."

"And for Tom King, too," replied the chief constable; "since his
blowen's peached, the game's up with him, too. We've long had an eye
upon him, and now we'll have a finger. He's one of your dashing trouts
to whom we always give a long line, but we'll _land_ him this time,
anyhow. If you'll look after Dick Turpin, gemmen, I'll make sure of
Tom."

"I'd rather you would help _us_, Mr. Paterso