ng ridden
for so many years, was unable to proceed at a fast rate; and even Jack
found that it was far pleasanter not to attempt going as fast as he
would once have wished to have gone over the road. They were therefore
obliged to sleep at an inn about half-way between Portsmouth and London,
hoping to get into the big city at an early hour the next day. Jack's
chief puzzle was to know where to find a lodging. As may be supposed,
he had no fancy to go back to the only one he knew of at Hammersmith,
although on their way they should pass not far from it. He felt very
sure, however, that he might do so without any risk of being discovered,
for instead of the rosy-cheeked lad he then was, he now wore a full
black beard, while his countenance was thoroughly well bronzed, and
there was a bold, dashing look about him which often marked the naval
officer of those days who had seen hard service. As De Mertens had no
wish to remain in London, they agreed to pass through the city, and to
stop for the night at Hertford, or some other town to the north of it.
On passing across Hounslow Heath they encountered more than one
suspicious-looking gentleman, armed to the teeth, and mounted on a
strong active horse. But probably Jack's appearance made the
highwayman, if such he was, think it more prudent to allow the
travellers to pass unquestioned. That sort of gentry, even in those
days, in spite of all their boasting, were generally cowards at heart,
and took good care not to attack those whom they did not feel sure they
could intimidate or overcome without difficulty.

Jack did his best to keep up the spirits of poor Monsieur de Mertens,
who as he approached Norwich became more and more-nervous, dreading to
hear that some accident had happened to his wife--that she was ill, or
perhaps had died. Then he dreaded the effect which his sudden return
might have on her; and more than all he pictured to himself her sorrow,
when at their meeting she would be unable to present to him their
beloved child.

On reaching Norwich Jack took his companion to the inn at which he had
put up with Will Brinsmead, and begged him to remain there while he
himself went on to the house of Mr Gournay, that he might prepare
Madame de Mertens for his appearance.

Jack now began to feel very nervous himself. He would ten times rather
have boarded a French ship, with pistols flashing and cold steel
flourishing round his head, than go through the necessary