his poor horse still in the
thicket where he had left him, with water and grass in his reach. That
he had got home in safety, where his absence had not excited any
anxiety, because his sister had supposed him to be at Black Hall.

He then described the funeral of Rosa Blondelle, which had taken place
that day, and which had been attended not only by all the county gentry,
who had gathered to show their respect and sympathy for the dead, but
also by crowds of all sorts of people, who came in curiosity to the
scene.

And then, taking advantage of a few minutes during which Sybil was
engaged in her housekeeping corner of the chapel, he told Mr. Berners
that the search-warrants having failed to find the fugitives, a rumor
had been spread that they had certainly left the neighborhood on the
morning of the murder, and that they had been seen at Alexandria, by a
gentleman who had just come from that city.

"This story," added Captain Pendleton, "is so confidently reported and
believed, that an officer with a warrant has been this day dispatched to
Annapolis."

"Oh! good Heaven! How zealously her old neighbors do hunt my poor
guiltless Sybil," groaned Mr. Berners.

"Take courage! This rumor, together with the journey of the officer to
Annapolis, opens a way for your immediate escape. So I propose that you
prepare to leave this place to-morrow night, and take a bee line to
Norfolk. There you must take the first outward bound ship for Europe,
and remain abroad until you can with safety return home."

At this moment Sybil came up.

Without mentioning to her the existence of the warrants which were out
against her, and which was the only part of Captain Pendleton's
communication that it was expedient to conceal from her, Lyon Berners,
with a smile of encouragement, told her that they were to leave the
Haunted Chapel the next night, to go to Norfolk.

"And we cannot even yet go home?" sighed Sybil.

"No, dear wife; it would scarcely yet be prudent to do so. But we can go
to Europe, and travel over the Continent, and see the wonders of the
Old World, leaving our friend here with a power of attorney to manage
our estate and collect our revenues, and remit us money as we require
it. We can stay abroad and enjoy ourselves until such time as justice
shall be done, and we can return to our home, not only with safety, but
in triumph," replied Lyon Berners, cheerfully.

Sybil too caught the infection of his cheerful manner, whet