s the most dangerous man of the two, and the most likely, if he
feels any suspicions, to slip through the fingers of the law.

"I have also to report that I discovered three persons in the hall of
Justice Bervie's house, as I went out.

"One of them was his son, the Captain; one was his daughter, Miss
Bervie; and the third was that smooth-tongued old soldier, Major
Mulvany. If the escape of Mr. Bowmore and Mr. Linwood is in
contemplation, mark my words: the persons whom I have just mentioned
will be concerned in it--and perhaps Miss Charlotte herself as well. At
present, she is entirely unsuspicious of any misfortune hanging over
her head; her attention being absorbed in the preparation of her bridal
finery. As an admirer myself of the fair sex, I must own that it seems
hard on the girl to have her lover clapped into prison, before the
wedding-day.

"I will bring you word of the arrest myself. There will be plenty of
time to catch the afternoon coach to London.

"Here--unless something happens which it is impossible to foresee--my
report may come to an end."

* Readers who may desire to test the author's authority for
this statement, are referred to "The Annual Register" for
1817, Chapters I. and III.; and, further on, to page 66 in
the same volume.

CHAPTER X.

THE ELOPEMENT.

ON the evening of the first of April, Mrs. Bowmore was left alone with
the servants. Mr. Bowmore and Percy had gone out together to attend a
special meeting of the Club. Shortly afterward Miss Charlotte had left
the cottage, under very extraordinary circumstances.

A few minutes only after the departure of her father and Percy,
she received a letter, which appeared to cause her the most violent
agitation. She said to Mrs. Bowmore:

"Mamma, I must see Captain Bervie for a few minutes in private, on a
matter of serious importance to all of us. He is waiting at the front
gate, and he will come in if I show myself at the hall door."

Upon this, Mrs. Bowmore had asked for an explanation.

"There is no time for explanation," was the only answer she received; "I
ask you to leave me for five minutes alone with the Captain."

Mrs. Bowmore still hesitated. Charlotte snatched up her garden hat, and
declared, wildly, that she would go out to Captain Bervie, if she was
not permitted to receive him at home. In the face of this declaration,
Mrs. Bowmore yielded, and left the room.

In a minute more the Captain made his ap