r
to prevent the egress of any person. He reseated himself, and while he
was listening to the conversation of the troopers, he was recognised by
Southwold, who accosted him. Jacob did not pretend not to know him, as
it would have been useless; and Southwold put many questions to him as
to who were resident at Arnwood. Jacob replied that the children were
there, and a few servants, and he was about to mention Miss Judith
Villiers, when a thought struck him,--he might save the old lady.

"You are going to Arnwood, I know," said Jacob, "and I have heard who
you are in search of. Well, Southwold, I'll give you a hint. I may be
wrong; but if you should fall in with an old lady, or something like
one, when you go to Arnwood, mount her on your crupper, and away with
her to Lymington as fast as you can ride. You understand me."
Southwold nodded significantly, and squeezed Jacob's hand.

"One word, Jacob Armitage; if I succeed in the capture by your means, it
is but fair that you should have something for your hint. Where can I
find you the day after to-morrow?"

"I am leaving the country this night, and go I must. I am in trouble,
that's the fact; when all is blown over, I will find you out. Don't
speak to me any more just now." Southwold again squeezed Jacob's hand,
and left him. Shortly afterwards the order was given to mount, and the
troopers set off.

Armitage followed slowly and unobserved. They arrived at the mansion
and surrounded it. Shortly afterwards he perceived the glare of
torches, and in a quarter of an hour more thick smoke rose up in the
dark but clear sky; at last the flames burst forth from the lower
windows of the mansion, and soon afterwards they lighted up the country
round to some distance.

"It is done," thought Jacob, and he turned to bend his hasty steps
towards his own cottage, when he heard the galloping of a horse and
violent screams; a minute afterwards James Southwold passed him with the
old lady tied behind him, kicking and struggling as hard as she could.
Jacob smiled, as he thought that he had by his little stratagem saved
the old woman's life, for that Southwold imagined that she was King
Charles dressed up as an old woman was evident; and he then returned as
fast as he could to the cottage.

In half an hour Jacob had passed through the thick woods which were
between the mansion and his own cottage, occasionally looking back, as
the flames of the mansion rose higher and high