street, and there was little comfort to be found in any shelter that
was near at hand. Just as Lindley's patience was about exhausted,
though, he saw a slender shadow move with hesitating steps out from
the gate, then scurry back to its protection. A voice, muffled in the
folds of a cloak that covered the figure, a voice sweet as a silver
bell, called softly:

"Master Lindley, Master Lindley, are you not here? Are you not
waiting?"

Lindley advanced somewhat slowly until he saw that a woman stood half
in, half out, of the shadow.

"But is it not you, Johan?" he asked, with some hesitation.

"Nay, 'tis I, Lady Barbara Gordon," a girl's voice answered.
"Judith--Johan, the lad that came to Judith, told me that you were to
take him to-night in my guise to Lord Farquhart. But I would speak to
Lord Farquhart myself. I must see Lord Farquhart myself. I may not
have another chance. You have the permits of which the boy spoke? You
will take me in his place?"

She advanced slowly, still hesitating, her manner pleading as her
words had pleaded; her trembling voice seeming but an echo of the
tremors that shook her frame.

Lindley hurriedly tried to reassure her. Yes, he said, he had the
permits. Assuredly he would take her. And yet, even as he spoke, he
chafed at the woman's interference with Johan's plan of rescue. Why
could she not have let the boy offer Lord Farquhart a chance to
escape? But nothing of this was in his manner. Instead he soothed her
fears, assuring her that 'twas but a short distance to the place where
Farquhart was lodged, and, undoubtedly, the stormy night would aid
their purpose, for few inquisitive stragglers would be abroad.

With faltering steps the lady moved by his side. Once he thought he
heard a sob, and he laid a hand on her arm to comfort her.

"You must have courage, my lady," he muttered. "You must take courage
to Lord Farquhart."

Once in the flare of a passing torch he saw the girl quite distinctly.
She was draped all in scarlet, a scarlet velvet coat and hood, and,
underneath, a scarlet petticoat. One hand held a corner of the cloak
about her chin and lips, and, under the drooping hood, he saw a black
silk mask. She shrank toward him as the light fell on her and caught
his arm with her free hand. He laid his hand protectingly on hers, and
after that, until they reached the sheriff's lodge, she held fast to
him.

Even when Lindley showed his permits to the guard on duty, she still