out of Hartledon, any one of which might be Mr. Elster; but I found he
had the description pretty accurate. Whilst we were talking, who should
come into view but yourself! 'This is him!' cried he. 'Not a bit of it,'
said I, carelessly; 'that's my lord.' Now you know, sir, why I saluted
you as Lord Hartledon."

"Where is he now?" asked Percival Elster, feeling that he owed his
present state of liberty to this lawless man.

Pike pointed to the narrow path in the wood, leading to the high-road.
"I filled him up with the belief that the way beyond this bridge up to
Hartledon was private, and he might be taken up for trespassing if he
attempted to follow it; so he went off that way to watch the front. If
the fellow hasn't a writ in his pocket, or something worse, call me a
simpleton. You are all right, sir, as long as he takes you for Lord
Hartledon."

But there was little chance the fellow could long take him for Lord
Hartledon, and Percival Elster felt himself attacked with a shiver. He
knew it to be worse than a writ; it was an arrest. An arrest is not a
pleasant affair for any one; but a strong opinion--a certainty--seized
upon Val's mind that this would bring forth Dr. Ashton's veto of
separation from Anne.

"I thank you for what you have done," frankly spoke Mr. Elster.

"It's nothing, sir. He'll be dodging about after his prey; but I'll dodge
about too, and thwart his game if I can, though I have to swear that Lord
Hartledon's not himself. What's an oath, more or less, to me?"