am delighted with your reply, Edward, and I fear not that of my good
aunts. It will be a great happiness to me when I am wandering abroad to
know that your sisters are under their roof, and are being educated as
they ought to be."

"What's the matter, Pablo?" said Humphrey to the former, who came
running, out of breath.

"Soldiers," said Pablo; "plenty of them, gallop this way--gallop every
way."

"Now, Chaloner, we must get ourselves out of this scrape; and I trust
that afterwards all will be well," said Edward. "Bring the horses out
to the door; and, Chaloner, you and Grenville must wait within: bring my
horse out also, as it will appear as if I had just ridden over. I must
in to change my dress. Humphrey, keep a look-out and let us know when
they come."

Chaloner and Edward went in, and Edward put on his dress of secretary.
Shortly afterwards a party of cavalry were seen galloping towards the
cottage. They soon arrived there, and pulled up their horses. An
officer who headed them addressed Humphrey in a haughty tone, and asked
him who he was.

"I am one of the verderers of the forest, sir," replied Humphrey
respectfully.

"And whose cottage is that? And who have you there?"

"The cottage is mine, sir; two of the horses at the door belong to two
troopers who have come in quest of those who fled from Worcester; the
other horse belongs to the secretary of the Intendant of the forest, Mr
Heatherstone, who has come over with directions from the Intendant as to
the capture of the rebels."

At this moment Edward came out and saluted the officer.

"This is the secretary, sir, Master Armitage," said Humphrey, falling
back.

Edward saluted the officer, and said--

"Mr Heatherstone, the Intendant, has sent me over here to make
arrangements for the capture of the rebels. This man is ordered to
lodge two troopers as long as they are considered necessary to remain;
and I have directions to tell any officer whom I may meet that Mr
Heatherstone and his verderers will take good care that none of the
rebels are harboured in this direction; and that it will be better that
the troops scour the southern edge of the forest, as it is certain that
the fugitives will try all that they can to embark for France."

"What regiment do the troopers belong to that you have here?"

"I believe to Lambert's troop, sir; but they shall come out and answer
for themselves. Tell those men to come out," said Edward to Humphrey.