mmy, but better dressed, was swinging on
the gate, and him the detective asked if he could see Miss Du Plessis on
important business. The boy ran into the house to enquire, and came back
to the gate, accompanied by the lady in question. She changed colour as
her eye took in The Cavalry, immovable as a life guardsman on sentry.
The detective handed her his professional card, and explained that he
and his two friends had been entrusted with the duty of protecting her
property and herself. "You need have no doubts, Miss Du Plessis, for the
Squire, as a J.P., knows me perfectly," he continued.

"I have no fear, Mr. Nash," answered the lady, in a pleasant voice, with
just a suspicion of a foreign accent; "your name is known to me, and you
are in good company."

Wilkinson, standing by his friend's stirrup, heard this last statement,
and blushed, while The Cavalry thought he had heard a voice like that
before.

"Has Mr. Rawdon seen you, or have you seen him?" asked the detective.

"Neither; but the two Marjories have been here, and have told me about
him. They do not seem to admire Mr. Rawdon."

"The darlins!" ejaculated the lawyer; whereupon Wilkinson pinched his
leg, and made him cry "Owch!"

The rest of the conversation between the plotters at the gate was
inaudible. At its conclusion, the lady's face was beaming with
amusement.

"Give me that bundle for Miss Du Plessis," said Nash to Coristine, who
lifted his hat to her, and handed the parcel over.

"Now, for instructions," continued the commander-in-chief. "The Cavalry
will go to Bridesdale, that's Squire Carruthers' place, and keep Mr.
Rawdon from going to church, or bring him back if he has started, which
isn't likely. This branch of the Service will also make sure that all
children are out of the way somewhere, and inform older people, who may
be about, that Miss Du Plessis is coming to the house during church
time, and is very much altered by night-watching and sick-nursing, so
that they need not express astonishment before Mr. Rawdon. Fasten these
knapsacks about you somehow, Horse-Doctor; put the beast up where he'll
get a drink and a feed; and go to church like a good Christian. The
Infantry will halt for the present, and afterwards act as Miss Du
Plessis' escort. Infantry, attention! Cavalry, form threes, trot!"

Coristine took the knapsacks, made another bow, and trotted away, while
the dominie walked up to the gate, and was introduced to the fair
cons