nor was any
one heard stirring within.

On they went, and, Fleetwood tenderly supporting Ada, they commenced
descending the path. They had got about a quarter of the way down, when
Fleetwood fancied he heard the sound of a distant footfall. Could it be
the echo of their own feet? he thought, then made a sign to Raby to stop
while they listened. There could be no mistake about it. Footsteps
were rapidly approaching, and, on looking back, they saw, to their
dismay, a dark figure on the cliff above them. Fleetwood drew back
under the shadow of an overhanging rock, and he could feel Ada, who had
also seen the figure, as she clung closer to his arm, tremble with
alarm, which she in vain endeavoured to overcome. Marianna uttered a
faint shriek, and was going to repeat it, when Jack Raby gave her a
pinch, which effectually recalled her to her senses, and, in a whisper,
he threatened to give her another if she made the slightest noise. A
minute or two of the most intense anxiety passed away, which, under the
circumstances, appeared nearly an hour, and no one appeared.

"If we emerge from where we are, we cannot escape being seen, should the
person remain where he was," replied Fleetwood. "It will be better to
confront him boldly, and learn his intention in following us, than to
allow him to go back and to give information of our attempt. I will
leave you, Ada, in charge of Mr Raby, and will return instantly."

"Oh, do not quit me!" exclaimed Ada. "I will go with you--indeed, I am
not alarmed for myself; but I know not what may happen to you. They may
kill you, Fleetwood--oh, do not go."

"It is absolutely necessary that something should be done, dearest, and
there is no greater danger to be feared in going than remaining,"
answered Fleetwood. "Ada, I must force myself from you--it must be
done."

"You are right, Charles, I was weak. Go, and I will remain as you
wish," she whispered, relinquishing his arm, and he sprang up the path.

Jack did his best to comfort Ada, by assuring her that his captain could
easily manage to thrash a dozen Greeks, and that he was not likely to
suffer any harm from a single pirate, at all events. Every moment Ada
expected to hear the noise of a struggle, a pistol-shot, or the clash of
swords. She listened with breathless eagerness, trembling in every
limb, and she would have followed her lover, had she not known that her
so doing would be against his wish, and could be of no adv