“She has intrusted more—her life,” replied Dick, in a careless tone. “She would have bribed me to do murder.”
“Murder!” echoed Ranulph, aghast.
“Ay, to murder your brother,” returned Dick; “but let that pass. You have read that note. I have acted solely upon your mother’s responsibility. Lady Rookwood’s honour is pledged for my safety. Of course her son will set me free.”
“Never!”
“Well, as you please. Your mother is in my power. Betray me, and you betray her.”
“No more!” said Ranulph, sternly. “Go your ways. You are free.”
“Pledge me your word of honour I am safe.”
Ranulph had scarcely given his pledge, when Major Mowbray rode furiously up. A deep flush of anger burnt upon his cheeks; his sword was drawn in his hand. He glanced at Turpin, as if he would have felled him from the saddle.
“This is the ruffian,” cried the major, fiercely, “by whom I was attacked some months ago, and for whose apprehension the reward of three hundred pounds is offered by His Majesty’s proclamation, with a free pardon to his accomplices. This is Richard Turpin. He has just added another crime to his many offences. He had robbed my mother and sister. The postboy knew him the moment he came up. Where are they, villain? Whither are they gone?—answer!”
“I know not,” replied Turpin, calmly. “Did not the lad tell you they were rescued?”
“Rescued!—by whom?” asked Ranulph, with great emotion.
“By one who calls himself Sir Luke Rookwood,” answered Turpin, with a meaning smile.
“By him!” ejaculated Ranulph. “Where are they now?”
“I have already answered that question,” said Dick. “I repeat, I know not.”
“You are my prisoner,” cried the major, seizing Turpin’s bridle.
“I have Sir Ranulph’s word for my safety,” rejoined Turpin. “Let go my rein.”
“How is this?” asked Mowbray, incredulously.
“Ask me not. Release him,” replied Ranulph.
“Ranulph,” said the major, “you ask an impossibility. My honour—my duty—is implicated in this man’s capture.”
“The honour of all of us is involved in his deliverance,” returned Ranulph, in a whisper. “Let him go. I will explain all hereafter. Let us search for them—for Eleanor. Surely, after this, you will help us to find them,” added he, addressing Turpin.
“I wish, with all my soul, I could do so,” replied the highwayman.
“I see’d the ladies cross the brook, and enter these old ruins,” interposed the postboy, who had now joined the party. “I see’d ’em from where I stood on the hillside; and as I kept a pretty sharp look-out, and have a tolerably bright eye of my own, I don’t think as how they ever comed out again.”
“Someone is hidden within yon fissure in the wall,” exclaimed Ranulph; “I see a figure move.”
And he flung himself from his horse, rushing towards the mouth of the cell. Imitating his example, Major Mowbray followed his friend, sword in hand.
“The game begins now in right earnest,” said Dick to himself; “the old fox will soon be unearthed. I must look to my snappers.” And he thrust his hand quietly into his pocket in search of a pistol.
Just as Ranulph and the major reached the recess they were startled by the sudden apparition of the ill-fated attorney.
“Mr. Coates!” exclaimed Ranulph, in surprise. “What do you here, sir?”
“I—I—that is—Sir Ranulph—you must excuse me, sir—particular business—can’t say,” returned the trembling attorney; for at this instant his eye caught that of Turpin, and the ominous reflection of a polished-steel barrel, held carelessly towards him. He was aware, also, that on the other hand he was, in like manner, the mark of Rust and Wilder; those polite gentlemen having threatened him with a brace of slugs in his brain if he dared to betray their hiding-place. “It is necessary that I should be guarded in my answers,” murmured he.
“Is there anyone within that place besides yourself?” said the major, making a movement thither.
“No, sir, nobody at all,” answered Coates, hastily, fancying at the same time that he heard the click of the pistol that was to be his death-warrant.
“How came you here, sir?” demanded Ranulph.
“Do you mean in this identical spot?” replied Coates, evasively.