tleman was not apparently agreeable, either to
the coachman or the majority of the passengers--the name of Turpin
acting like magic upon them. One man jumped off behind, and was with
difficulty afterwards recovered, having tumbled into a deep ditch at the
roadside. An old gentleman with a cotton nightcap, who had popped out
his head to swear at the coachman, drew it suddenly back. A faint scream
in a female key issued from within, and there was a considerable hubbub
on the roof. Amongst other ominous sounds, the guard was heard to click
his long horse-pistols. "Stop the York four-day stage!" said he, forcing
his smoky voice through a world of throat-embracing shawl; "the fastest
coach in the kingdom: vos ever such atrocity heard of? I say, Joe, keep
them ere leaders steady; we shall all be in the ditch. Don't you see
where the hind wheels are? Who--whoop, I say."

The gentleman on the box now discharged his pistol, and the confusion
within was redoubled. The white nightcap was popped out like a rabbit's
head, and as quickly popped back on hearing the highwayman's voice.
Owing to the plunging of the horses, the gentleman had missed his aim.

Prepared for such emergencies as the present, and seldom at any time
taken aback, Dick received the fire without flinching. He then lashed
the horses out of his course, and rode up, pistol in hand, to the
gentleman who had fired.

"Major Mowbray," said he, in a stern tone, "I know you. I meant not
either to assault you or these gentlemen. Yet you have attempted my
life, sir, a second time. But you are now in my power, and by hell! if
you do not answer the questions I put to you, nothing earthly shall save
you."

"If you ask aught I may not answer, fire!" said the major; "I will never
ask life from such as you."

"Have you seen aught of Sir Luke Rookwood?" asked Dick.

"The villain you mean is not yet secured," replied the major, "but we
have traces of him. 'Tis with a view of procuring more efficient
assistance that I ride to town."

"They have not met then, since?" said Dick, carelessly.

"Met! whom do you mean?"

"Your sister and Sir Luke," said Dick.

"My sister meet him!" cried the major, angrily--"think you he dares show
himself at Rookwood?"

"Ho! ho!" laughed Dick--"she _is_ at Rookwood, then? A thousand thanks,
major. Good night to you, gentlemen."

"Take that with you, and remember the guard," cried the fellow, who,
unable to take aim from where he sat, had cr