orse. A
thick rime covered the ground, and a cold air blew across the fens, as
the two riders with their charges took their way south. Jack, who by
this time was well accustomed to the devious track across the fens, led
the way at as rapid a pace as the horses could move, closely followed by
Long Sam, who was now dressed as an ordinary jockey or rough-rider.
They stopped to bait at various places: sometimes at the private
residence of some gentleman who Long Sam said wished to look at their
horses; at other times at a farm-house, and occasionally at inns, but
these were generally avoided. While traversing an open country, Long
Sam called Jack by his side.

"You will understand, Deane," he observed, "that you have a very simple
part to play when you reach London; but I must have your promise that
you will do nothing without my orders, and that you will make all the
inquiries I may direct, and gain all the information you can on certain
points which I will explain to you. You will thus be enabled to render
great service to an important cause, and run no risk or danger
yourself."

"As to that," answered Jack, "I am ready enough to run all sorts of
risks where there is a good object to be attained; and I would rather be
trusted than asked to act in the dark, as I am now doing!" Long Sam
smiled grimly.

"Others may not be so willing to trust you as you suppose," he answered.
"Indeed, it is better for all parties that you should not be acquainted
with what is taking place. I wish you, however, to understand, that the
men with whom I am engaged are persons of honour and character, and are
not likely to do any act unworthy of their position."

"Then there _is_ some plot or scheme afoot?" said Jack. "I have long
thought so, but could gain no information about the matter."

"You are right in that respect," answered Long Sam: "there is an
important scheme about to be carried out; and as soon as you have given
proof of your fitness to engage in it, you shall be informed as to the
particulars. In the meantime, all I require is simple obedience to my
directions, and then all will be well."

After riding for some distance across somewhat hilly country, on
reaching the summit of a height, he pulled up his horse, exclaiming,
"Why, surely that must be London!"

Before him, spread out, and extending some way both to the east and
west, were numberless streets of houses, with towers and spires rising
above them in all direc