ed pounds
in his pocket, and my lady's favor. Oh, why did we not keep our word
with her? She was the wisest, and our best friend. But it is all your
doing; you are the devil that tempted him, you old villain!"

"Don't miscall me," said the gypsy.

"Not miscall you, when you have run away, and left them to take my boy
to jail! No word is bad enough for you, you villain!"

_"I'm your father--and a dying man,"_ said the old gypsy, calmly, and
folded his hands upon his breast with Oriental composure and decency.

The woman threw herself on her knees.

"Forgive me, father--tell me, where is he?"

"Highmore House."

At that simple word her eyes dilated with wild horror, she uttered a
loud scream, and flew into the house.

In five minutes she was on her way to Highmore.

She reached that house, knocked hastily at the door, and said she must
see Mr. Richard Bassett that moment.

"He is just gone out," said the maid.

"Where to?"

The girl knew her, and began to gossip. "Why, to Huntercombe Hall.
What! haven't you heard, Mrs. Meyrick? Master caught a robber last
night. Laws! you should have seen him: he have got crape all over his
face; and master, and the constable, and Mr. Musters, they be all gone
with him to Sir Charles, for to have him committed--the villain! Why,
what ails the woman?"

For Mary Meyrick turned her back on the speaker, and rushed away in a
moment.

She went through the kitchen at Huntercombe: she was so well known
there, nobody objected: she flew up the stairs, and into Lady Bassett's
bedroom. "Oh, my lady! my lady!"

Lady Bassett screamed, at her sudden entrance and wild appearance.

Mary Meyrick told her all in a few wild words. She wrung her hands with
a great fear.

"It's no time for that," cried Mary, fiercely. "Come down this moment,
and save him."

"How can I?"

"You must! You shall!" cried the other. "Don't ask me how. Don't sit
wringing your hands, woman. If you are not there in five minutes to
save him, I'll tell all."

"Have mercy on me!" cried Lady Bassett. "I gave him money, I sent him
away. It's not my fault."

"No matter; he must be saved, or I'll ruin you. I can't stay here: I
must be there, and so must you."

She rushed down the stairs, and tried to get into the justice-room, but
admission was refused her.

Then she gave a sort of wild snarl, and ran round to the small room
adjoining the justice-room. Through this she penetrated, and entered
the justice-room,