ton, now in prison,
to Mary Stuart. Mr. Arnold had been advertised that he might take up his
duties in Lancashire as soon as he liked; but, because of his
inexperience and youth, it had been decided that he had better ride with
"Mr. Alban" so far as Chartley at least, and thence, if all were well,
go on to Lancaster itself, where his family was known, and whither he
could return, for the present, without suspicion.

* * * * *

The roads, such as they were, were in a terrible state still with the
heavy rain of a few days ago, and the further showers that had fallen in
the night. They made very poor progress, and by dinner-time were not yet
in sight of Watford. But they pushed on, coming at last about one
o'clock to that little town, all gathered together in the trench of the
low hills. There was a modest inn in the main street, with a little
garden behind it; and while Mr. Arnold took the horses off for watering,
Robin went through to the garden, sat down, and ordered food to be
served for himself and his man together. The day was warmer, and the sun
came out as they sat over their meal. When they had done, Robin sent his
friend off again for the horses. They must not delay longer than was
necessary, if they wished to sleep at Leighton, and give the horses
their proper rest.

* * * * *

When he was left alone, he fell a-thinking once more; and, what with the
morning's ride and the air and the sunshine, and the sense of liberty,
he was inclined to be more cheerful. Surely England was large enough to
hide the rest of the plotters for a time, until they could get out of
it. Anthony was taken, indeed, yet, without the rest, he might very well
escape conviction. Robin had not been challenged in any way; the
gatekeepers had looked at him, indeed, as he came out of the City; but
so they always did, and the landlady here had run her eyes over him; but
that was the way of landladies who wished to know how much should be
charged to travellers. And if he had come out so easily, why should not
his friends? All turned now, to his mind, on whether the rest of the
conspirators could evade the pursuivants or not.

He stood up presently to stretch his legs before mounting again, and as
he stood up he heard running footsteps somewhere beyond the house: they
died away; but then came the sound of another runner, and of another,
and he heard voices calling. Then a window was