op a minute--I begin to perceive. You were after my
father?"

"Yes, to arrest him. The King suspects him of carrying treasonable
papers."

As the full treachery of his father's conduct began to dawn upon
Tristram, they heard the clatter of hoofs on the road at their back,
and turned. A thin moon hung in the twilight sky. It was just that
hour before dark when the landscape looks flat to the eye, and forms
at a little distance grow confused in outline. Yet they could see
the horseman plainly enough to recognise him. It was Captain Salt
who flew past, well out of pistol-shot, and headed southwards at a
stretch-gallop, his hands down and his shoulders bent as he rode.

"Devil seize him if he hasn't got my mare!" roared the man Dick,
forgetting his cough and leaping to his feet. "I can tell the sorrel
a mile away!"

Then followed a dismayed silence as they watched the escaping rider.

"She's the best nag of the four, too," one of the men muttered
gloomily.

"Boys," said the fellow who had first arrested Tristram, "he's done
us for a certainty. In an hour or two he'll reach the French
outposts. We must go back and patch up the best story we can find.
Young man," he added, turning sharply, "I'd like to be certain you're
as big a fool as you make out. Where d'ye come from, and where are
ye bound for?"

Tristram told his story ingenuously enough.

"We'll have to search you."

They searched him and found a sealed packet.

"What is this?"

"Pepper-cress seed."

"Pepper-cress be damned!" was the only comment.

However, when the packet was opened it was found that he spoke the
truth.

"Well, we can't take you along with us, or we shall have to tell his
Majesty the truth; which is something more improbable than I care to
risk. Moreover, you've saved a comrade--"

"And many thanks for it, my lad," Dick added, shaking Tristram by the
hand.

"Therefore you're free to go. The question is, where you do want to
go?"

"Harwich."

"Harwich is a long way; and you've lost your passport. However,
there's a chance you may find a boat on the coast to smuggle you
over. Cross the canal yonder, and bear away to the west. There's a
road'll take you to Nieupoort. But first you'll have to pass this
cursed dyke, unless you care to follow us back to the town and walk
round."

"Thank you, no; I'll push on. I've crossed the dyke twice already
this evening, and a second wetting won't matter much. Besides, I s