how soon I brave my threatened doom."

"Of one or other you shall be resolved to-night," said Luke, placing the
dagger within his vest.

At this moment a trampling of a horse was heard before the hovel, and in
another instant a loud knocking resounded from the door. The ferryman
instantly extinguished the light, motioning his companions to remain
silent.

"What, ho!" shouted a voice. "Ferry wanted."

"Gad zooks!" exclaimed Dick. "As I live, 'tis Major Mowbray!"

"Major Mowbray!" echoed Alan, in amazement "What doth he here?"

"He must be on his way from York to Rookwood, I conclude," said Dick.
"If he's here, I'll engage the others are not far off."

Scarcely were the words out of Dick's mouth, when further clatter was
heard at the door, and the tones of Coates were heard, in _altissimo_
key, demanding admittance.

"Let us retire into the next room," whispered Turpin, "and then admit
them by all means, Conkey. And, hark ye, manage to detain them a few
seconds."

"I'll do it," said Jem. "There's a bit of a hole you can peep through."

Another loud rat-tat was heard at the door, threatening to burst it from
its hinges.

"Well, I be coming," said Jem, seeing the coast was clear, in a drowsy,
yawning tone, as if just awakened from sleep. "You'll cross the river
none the faster for making so much noise."

With these words he unbarred the door, and Coates and Paterson, who, it
appeared, were proceeding to Rookwood, entered the hovel. Major Mowbray
remained on horseback at the door.

"Can you find us a glass of brandy to keep out the fog?" said Coates,
who knew something of our ferryman's vocations. "I know you are a lad of
amazing _spirit_."

"May be I can, master, if I choose. But won't the other gemman walk
in-doors likewise?"

"No, no," said Coates; "Major Mowbray don't choose to dismount."

"Well, as you please," said Jem. "It'll take me a minute or two to get
the punt in order for all them prads."

"The brandy in the first place," said Coates. "What's here?" added the
loquacious attorney, noticing the remnants of Turpin's repast. "But that
we're hurried, I should like a little frizzled bacon myself."

Jem opened the door of his dormitory with the greatest caution, though
apparent indifference, and almost instantly returned with the brandy.
Coates filled a glass for Paterson, and then another for himself. The
ferryman left the house apparently to prepare his boat, half closing the
door after him.