oss.

"Which way are we going?" asked Frank, whose excitement increased to a
feeling of wild exhilaration, as he felt the beautifully elastic
creature between his knees, with a sensation of participating in its
strength, and being where he would have a hundred times the chance of
getting to speak to his father.

"Up north," said the captain abruptly.

"North? Why not east? They will take him to the Tower."

"No. Steady horse. Walk, walk! Hold yours in, boy. We must go at a
slow pace till we get to the top of the lane."

The horses settled down to their walk, almost keeping pace for pace, as
the captain said quietly:

"I have got all the information I required. No, they will not take the
prisoners to the Tower, but to Newgate."

"Newgate?" cried Frank; "why, that is where the thieves and murderers
go."

"Yes," said the captain abruptly. "Look here, Frank. They are not to
reach the prison till nine, so we have plenty of time to get some
distance out. They will come in by the north road, and I don't think we
can miss them."

"Why risk passing them?" said Frank.

"Because, if we intercept the escort on the great north road somewhere
beyond Highgate, you will be able to ride back near the carriage in
which your father is, and, even if you cannot speak to him, you will see
him, and be seen."

"But it will be horrible; I shall look like one of the soldiers guarding
him to his cell."

"Never mind what you look like, so long as your father sees that he is
not forgotten by those who love him."

The captain ceased speaking, and their horses picked their way over the
stones, their hoofs clattering loudly, and making the people they passed
turn to stare after the two military-looking cavaliers in cocked hat and
horseman's cloak, and with the lower parts of their scabbards seen below
to show that they were well armed.

Saint Martin's Church clock pointed to seven as they rode by; and then,
well acquainted with the way, the captain made for the north-east,
breaking into a trot as they reached the open street where the traffic
was small, Frank's well-trained horse keeping step with its stable
companion; and by the shortest cuts that could be made they reached
Islington without seeing a sign of any unusual excitement, so well had
the secret been kept of the coming of the prisoners that night.

"Not much sign of a crowd to meet them, Frank," said the captain, as
they went now at a steady trot along the upper