ness and formality which
showed that full confidence was not placed in him. Indeed, when on one
or two occasions he was cross-questioned, having really no information
to give, he was speedily again dismissed. He received, however, several
letters in return, which he was especially directed to deliver in person
to Mr Harwood. On looking at the covers, he was surprised to find that
no superscription was placed on them.

"Never mind," was the answer, "you know for whom they are intended.
Keep them securely, and the object we have in view will be attained."

He mentioned, at length, the circumstance to Pearson.

"It's all right," he replied; "a letter without an address, provided the
bearer knows to whom he is to deliver it, is safer in these perilous
times than a letter with one. Keep them carefully, Master Deane, and
Mr Harwood will be duly grateful to you when you deliver them."

As they advanced north, Pearson invariably left the high-road to seek
for quarters at some distance from it during the night. Before lying
down to sleep on these occasions, he never failed to visit the stables.
Jack observed also that he remained booted and spurred during the night.
Generally before daybreak they were again in the saddle, and proceeding
at a rapid rate on their road. The Cheviots were already in sight, when
one morning Pearson roused up Jack.

"To horse, my lad, to horse!" he exclaimed. "If you wish to retain your
liberty, or your life indeed, you will put a hundred miles between you
and the Cheviots before sundown. I have just had the information
brought me, that you have been accused of delivering letters to
disaffected persons, and that a plot has been discovered for dethroning
the present king and bringing back King James. As I did not see the
letters which you had to deliver, I cannot say how far the accusation is
just, but to you it will come to the same thing. I have so far led you
into the scrape by giving you the letters, and I have resolved to bear
you company; for I doubt, without me, that you would manage to escape."

"This is bad news indeed," exclaimed Jack, sitting up in bed, and
beginning to dress as rapidly as he could.

"But if I go south, how shall I be able to execute Mr Strelley's
commission? What will Jock McKillock do with the cattle he has brought
thus far on the way? and what am I to do with the money with which I was
to pay for them?"

"I have thought of all that, my friend," answered