rd across the room, and, gliding from his place of concealment,
Hilary made for the bridge, crossed it, and then darted amongst the
bushes beside the narrow lane, for there was a buzz of voices behind
him, and from the other side of the house he could see the light of a
lantern, and then came the tramp of a horse and the sound of wheels.

CHAPTER THIRTY ONE.

SIGNALLING THE KESTREL.

Hilary knew that if he wished to escape he must achieve it with his
brain perhaps as much as his heels. He could pretty well tell which way
to go, but his knowledge of the country was very small, and great care
was necessary. It was evident that there was a party leaving the old
house, and most probably they were going to be present at some landing
of goods upon the shore, whence the cart would bring the lading of some
lugger back. If he went on now, it would be with this party always
ready to overtake him at any moment, for he did not know the road. If,
on the other hand, he kept hidden until the cart had gone by, their
lantern would be a guide to him, and he could follow silently till he
reached the cliffs. After that he must be guided by circumstances.

It was a wise idea, and lying _perdu_ for a few minutes, he found that a
cart passed him slowly, attended by six men, one of whom bore the
lantern. They were all chatting and laughing, and so intent upon their
business in hand that Hilary was able to follow them at a moderate
distance, the lantern acting as his guide.

He soon found that fortune had favoured him, for without their guidance
the chances were that he would have wandered off into one of the rugged
lanes through the woods, if he had not lost the track entirely, for it
was hardly worthy of the name of road.

He was going cautiously along, keeping the lantern well in sight, when,
all at once, a faint glow appeared just in front; and he only stopped
short just in time to avoid blundering over one of the party who had
hung back to refill and light his pipe with a piece of touchwood, which
he was now blowing up into a brisk glow before applying it to the bowl.

Hilary stopped as if struck by lightning, and held his breath, so close
was he to the man, who, fortunately, was too much occupied with the task
he had in hand to notice the young officer's proximity; and, after
getting his pipe well alight, he started off after his companions.

This adventure made Hilary, if possible, more cautious, and for the next
two ho