o hear her errand, I led her toward Charing
Cross, and when we were away from the gate, asked:--

"What brings you, Bettina? I know it must be a matter of great urgency
that has induced you to venture forth in this terrible storm. What can I
do for you?"

"Nothing for me, Baron Ned," she answered, taking my arm and huddling
close to my side for protection against the storm.

"For whom, then? Tell me quickly," I asked.

"I fear Mistress Jennings is in trouble," she answered. "Soon after you
and Master Hamilton left the Old Swan, a girl came to me in my parlor and
told me that as she was passing a coach standing in front of Baynard's
Castle two hours or more ago, a lady called to her from the coach window
and told her to tell me that Mistress Jones was in great trouble; that
she had been seized by two men who were carrying her away. She said the
lady was bound hand and foot, and that immediately after she had spoken,
two gentlemen came from Baynard's Castle, entered the coach, and drove
toward Temple Bar. The girl said she followed the coach till she saw it
turn into the Strand beyond Temple Bar; then she came to see me."

"Did the girl say at what hour she saw the lady, Mistress Jones?" I
asked. "She probably did not catch the name Jennings."

"She said it was two hours or more before she saw me," answered Betty.
"That would make it perhaps between one and two o'clock. I ought to have
questioned her more closely, but I feared to delay telling you, so I left
her in my parlor and came to see you as quickly as possible."

"Brave Betty! Sweet Betty!" I exclaimed, rapturously. "I could find it in
my heart to kiss you a thousand times as a reward for your wisdom."

"And I could find it in my heart to be content with other reward," she
answered, though her words took a different meaning from the gentle
pressure she gave my arm.

"But tell me," asked Betty, "do you know where Mistress Jennings is?"

"She is not to be found," I returned. "Beyond a doubt the lady in the
carriage was my cousin. You say it was perhaps one o'clock when the girl
saw her?"

"Yes."

"It is after three now, nearly four, and will soon be dark. We must
hasten."

We fairly ran to the Quaker's house, where we found Hamilton, who,
forgetting his sacred calling, lapsed into the unholy manner of former
days and used language which caused Betty to cover her ears with her
hands. We did not, however, allow his profanity to delay us, but hastened
to