hich the latter broke.

"By gum, Pye's done us brown--browner than a kipper! By gum, to think
of that little wart getting the bulge on us!"

"I should like to know your reasons, doctor," said Prince Frederic at
last.

"I'm hanged if I can puzzle it out yet myself," said Barraclough. "If
they've got it, why the deuce do they come and demand it from us?"

"Oh, _they_ haven't got it," I said. "It's only Holgate and Pye. The
rank and file know nothing, I'll swear. As for my reasons, sir, here
they are"; and with that I told them what I knew of Pye from my first
meeting with him, giving an account of the transactions in the "Three
Tuns," and narrating many incidents which now seemed in the light of my
discovery to point to the treachery of the clerk. When I had done, Lane
whistled, the Prince's brow was black, but Barraclough's face was
impassive. He looked at me.

"Then you are of opinion that Holgate is running this show for
himself?" he asked.

"I will wager ten to one on it," I answered. "That's like him. He'll
leave the others in the lurch if he can. He's aiming at it. And he'll
leave Pye there, too, I shouldn't wonder. And if so, what sort of a man
is that to make terms with?"

Barraclough made no answer. For a man of his even nature he looked
troubled.

"If this it so, what are you in favour of?" he said at last.

The Prince, too, looked at me inquiringly, which showed that he had
fully accepted my theory.

"Go on as we are doing and trust to luck," said I.

"Luck!" said the Prince, raising his fingers. "Chance! Destiny!
Providence! Whatever be the term, we must abide it. It is written,
gentlemen; is has been always written. If God design us our escape, we
shall yet avoid and upset the calculations of these ruffians. Yes, it
is written. You are right, Dr. Phillimore. There must be no faint
heart. Sir John, give your orders and make your dispositions. I will
take my orders from you."

This significant speech was delivered with a fine spontaneity, and I
must say the man's fervour impressed me. If he was a fatalist, he was a
fighting fatalist, and I am sure he believed in his fortune. I was not
able to do that; but I thought we had, in the vulgar phrase, a sporting
chance. And that I was right events proved, as you will presently see.

CHAPTER XVII

THE THIRD ATTACK

Holgate had given us till eight o'clock, but it was of course,
uncertain if he would adhere to this hour. If I were right in my