whither he would
precede them on horseback. He found the Squire in an easy chair in the
sitting room with three lady attendants. Shaking hands with the
half-unconscious man, he assured him that he would attend to the
business of the day, and then, with a few words of grateful recognition
to Mrs. Carruthers, bade all the ladies good-bye. "Hasten back," they
all said, and the kind hostess added: "We will think long till we see
you again." Walking back into the kitchen, he bestowed a trifle in his
most gracious manner, on Tryphena and Tryphosa, and then went forth to
look for Marjorie. As he kissed her an affectionate farewell in the
garden, the little girl intuitively guessed his absence to be no common
one, and begged her Eugene to stay, with tears in her eyes. But he was
obdurate with her and all the little Carruthers, on whom he showered
quarters to buy candy at the post office. Maguffin was there with the
horse, and, near the gate, was Miss Carmichael with that ineffable ass
Lamb. Looking at the latter as if he would dearly love to kick him, he
raised his hat to his companion, and extended his hand with the simple
words "Good-bye." Miss Carmichael did not offer hers in return; she
said: "It is hardly worth while being so formal over an absence of a few
hours." Coristine turned as if a serpent had bitten him, slipped some
money into Maguffin's hand, as that worthy held open the gate for him,
and vaulted on his horse, nor did he turn to look round so long as the
eyes of Bridesdale were on his retreating figure.

The lawyer rode hard, for he was excited. He went by Talfourd's house
like a flash, and away through the woods he had traversed on Nash's
beast that last pleasant Sunday morning. At the Beaver River he watered
his horse, and exchanged a word with Pierre and Batiste bidding the
former look out that no attempt at rescuing the prisoner should be made
in that quarter. Away he went, with madame's eyes watching him from
afar, up the ascent, and along the road to where the Hills dwelt at the
foot of the Blue Mountains. He doffed his hat to the old lady as he
passed, then breasted the mountain side. For a moment, he stood on the
summit to take in the view once more, then clattered down the other
side, and away full pelt for the town. Soon he entered Collingwood, and
sought the police headquarters without delay. Where was Mr. Bangs? He
was told, to his great delight, that the detective was in town, and
would report at f