ns in his head, said he would not be so open in telling every
one we were going to Rye if he was me, because he was sure the Earl
had people on the look-out, and money was plenty with his lordship. If
every one knew when we were taking our departure, there would be no
difficulty in following us and overcoming us on some lonely part of
the road.

"Jem," said I, "that's all very true; but when they attacked us before
they got very little change for their trouble; and if you are afraid
of some slight commotion on the road, then you can stay back here in
London."

"I am not afraid at all," said Jem, "but if there's anything
particular you would like to see in Rye, there's no use in blocking
the road to it."

"Sure, Jem, then be quiet about it."

Turning to the landlord, who was standing by, I said to him:

"My men fear we are going to be intercepted, so I think if I began the
journey some time before daylight, and they followed me soon after, I
might slip away unnoticed."

The landlord scratched his head and crinkled up his brow, for to think
was unusual with him.

"I don't see," he said at last, "what you have to gain by going
separately. It seems to me it would be better to go in a body, and
then, if you are set on, there are three instead of one."

"Very well," said I, "I'll take your caution into consideration, and
act upon it or not as seems best when the time comes."

I told Paddy and Jem to sleep that night on the floor of my own room,
and cautioned them to wake me an hour before daylight at the latest.
Jem slept through until I had to kick him into consciousness; but poor
Paddy, on the other hand, wakened me four times during the night,--the
first time two hours after I had gone to sleep, and I could have
cudgelled him for his pains, only I knew the lad's intentions were
good. The last time I could stand it no longer, although it was still
earlier than the hour I had said, so I got up and dressed myself in
one of my new suits.

"And here, Paddy," said I, "you will wear the costume I had on
yesterday."

"I couldn't think of it," said Paddy, drawing back from the grandeur.

"You are not to think, you impudent gossoon, but to do as I tell you.
Put them on, and be as quick as you can."

"Troth, yer honour," said Paddy, still shrinking from them, "they're
too grand for the likes o' me, an' few will be able to tell the differ
atween us."

"You conceited spalpeen, do ye think there's no difference betwee