discover who were the thieves, nor other matters that it may be of use
to know."

"Rat me!" swore Trenchard. "I was in haste to bring you news of it.
Besides, there were other things to talk of. There is news that
Albemarle has gone to Exeter, and that Sir Edward Phelips and Colonel
Luttrell have been ordered to Taunton by the King."

Mr. Wilding stared at him with sudden dismay.

"Odso!" he exclaimed. "Is King James taking fright at last?" Then he
shrugged his shoulders and laughed; "Pshaw!" he cried. "They are
starting at a shadow."

"Heaven send," prayed Trenchard, "that the shadow does not prove to
have a substance immediately behind it."

"Folly!" said Wilding. "When Monmouth comes, indeed, we shall not lack
forewarning. Come," he added briskly. "We'll see this messenger and
endeavour to discover who were these fellows that beset him." And he
drew Trenchard from among the tombstones to the open path, and thus
from the churchyard and the eyes of the gaping onlookers.



CHAPTER VIII
BRIDE AND GROOM


And so the bridegroom, in all his wedding finery, made his way with