bundle," he said to the man. "I shall leave you cold to-night, I fear, but
here is money. Lie close in a blanket till the morrow, and then send for
your wife to buy other clothes. But keep your tongue from wagging."

So saying, the stranger shouldered his bundle, and, taking the shepherd's
crook in his hand, he left the hut and rejoined Philip. "My dear boy," he
said, "I must leave you now. I shall creep into the town under cover of
this disguise, safely enough, and be on board in half an hour. Farewell. I
shall never forget your services to me, as you will be reminded some day,
and from a quarter you least expect." With these words he shook the boy's
hand and was lost in the mist.

Philip waited irresolutely for some minutes. Then a plan came to him which,
if successful, would make the humiliation of the Roundhead complete. "Yes,"
he said "I'll do it;" and forthwith he urged his horse towards the town at
a smart trot leading the other by the reins and talking loudly with its
imaginary rider. The ruse was successful. The Roundhead Captain was, as
Philip had suspected, in ambush just at the outskirts, all ready to dart
forth and at last make the capture. When within a dozen yards of his form,
dimly outlined in the fog, Philip loosed the led horse, and lashing it
sharply over the flanks, turned his own steed, and rode off at full gallop
which he did not slacken till he reached home. He glowed as he rode.

Barbara's head appeared at the window in response to his clatter. Calling
the single word "Safe!" from the gate, he spurred on to Framshott.

"Outwitted clean!" said the Captain to himself, as he came up at last with
the riderless animal two hours after. "Outwitted, discredited, and by a
parcel of children! However, let's make the best of it;" and so saying, he
urged his horse towards Myddelton Hall, leading the stranger's by the