was almost dozing, when I started suddenly to hear footsteps and
voices not far away. Could it be he? It was too dark to distinguish
anything, and as yet their voices were not near enough to detect the
words. But they were coming nearer, and in a moment my suspense was at
an end. It was not Ludar.

"That is well," said a voice which I knew to be Captain Merriman's.
"You say he knows to expect you?"

"Yes, sir; I sent him word that a week hence we should join him at
Milford."

"Good. Then we must start to-morrow."

"The men have orders to be at Maidenhead to-morrow night."

"Well, now, Laker; you understand our plan. I am called hence suddenly
to-morrow, to London, by the Queen's order."

"Yes, sir."

"To-morrow night, an express comes to you that I am detained at the
Court, and ordering you, my second in command, to haste forward to join
our men in Wales. Sir William shall also receive a letter telling him
that my heart is broken that I cannot take charge of the young lady to
Ireland, but that you, an honest elderly dullard, will give her safe
escort."

"I thank you, sir."

"That will pacify our young wolf-hound. He counts you a friend."

"Then, Laker, two days hence, at the--"

"Hush, I know the place. She shall be there, sir."

That was what I heard; and fool as I may have been, I had wits enough to
guess what it all meant.

It was no time for marvelling by what strange chance I had been brought
there to hear what I did. How to prevent the villainy was more to the
purpose. At daybreak the captain would depart, and a day after, unless
we could hinder it, the dove would be in the hawk's clutches. Yet for
five hours that night had I to lie still and do nothing! If I showed
myself and was caught, all might be lost. Yet if I missed my chance of
warning Ludar betimes of the peril impending, it might be too late. So
I sat there chafing, through the brief summer night, and at dawn was on
the watch.

True to his plan, an hour after daybreak, Captain Merriman mounted his
horse and sped briskly away from the Hall. Let him go! We should meet
perchance again. But after that I watched the door for hours, and never
a sign of Ludar. Should I have to fight for the maiden single-handed
after all? At last when I was well-nigh desperate, he sallied out,
cross-bow over shoulder, with solemn face, and walked towards the woods.
Hiding myself well by the trees and shrubs, I made across to meet him.

H