from her seat and laid her upon it. The tired horses were
then relieved from their saddles and turned loose for a while. And then
Mr. Berners and Joe sat down by the roadside to consult.

"And first I want you to tell me, Joe, whether our sojourn at the
Haunted Chapel ever was found out," said Mr. Berners.

"Lor, no, sir! it never were even suspicioned! quite contrary wise,
indeed."

"How so?"

"Why, it was 'ported 'round as you was bofe at Marster Capping
Pendulum's all the time, which when himself was taxed with it, he never
let on as you wasn't there; quite contrary wise, as I said afore."

"But how now?"

"Well, he up and 'fied 'em all, and said his house was his cassil,
which he would shelter any one he pleased, and specially a noble and
injured lady."

"High heart! I thank him!" exclaimed Mr. Berners.

"Which 'fiance you see, sir, confarmed everybody in the faith that you
was bofe hid in his house, so artfully as even the sarch-warranters as
went there couldn't find you. And so, sir, nobody, from first to last,
has once said 'Haunted Chapel.'"

"Joe, how far are we from the Haunted Chapel?"

"Not more 'n a mile, sir, from the little path that leads up to it."

"Well, I think we had better go there again and rest to-day, and resume
our journey to-night. There can be no safer place."

"No whar in all the world, sir."

"Then we will go at once. Throw the saddles into the cart, at your
mistress' feet, so as not to crowd her. I will then drive the cart, and
you may lead the two riding horses after us," said Mr. Berners, going at
once to the side of the rude vehicle where Sybil lay in so deep a sleep
that she did not wake, even when he mounted the seat and started the
springless cart jolting along the rough road.

Joe led the saddle horses close behind, and so they went on.

"Joe," said Mr. Berners, "I hope that all things go on well at home."

"As well as can be, sir, marser and missus being away. Capping Pendulum,
he shows his powerful 'torney, and tends to the 'state. And Missus
Winterose and her darters minds the house. Only they's in constant
terrors all along o' that band o' bugglers."

"Band of burglars, Joe?"

"Yes, sir, and highway robbers as well."

"Indeed! Joe, I have twice lately heard this band spoken of. Does such
a one really exist?"

"Well, sir, it _do_. The neighborhood never was so mislested with
robbers since a neighborhood it has been. Why, sir, Mr. Morgan's new
store, at B