"Of course I am safe, fat-wit. Put up that knife. A horse is all my need." "Said I not so!" Joshua was moved to kiss his hand. "Said I, what will be my master's cry? Why, what but Horses, Joshua! They are hard by, sir, saddled and ready." "God 'ild you, then. Lead me to them. The hunt is up in good sooth, and we must win clear away to-night." He gave a little chuckle. "A rare night's work! Where's my lady?" "Gone these four days, master, and that squirting ahead of her." Joshua led him down a side-alley, walking fast. "I had speech with the noble lady, and bade her be of good cheer, and keep faith. Then I saw her leave Madrid with the old lady, and learned they were to waste no time upon the journey. I warrant I have been about the town a little! How came you out of that hold, master?" He was told, very briefly, and rubbed his hands over it. "Ay, that is the way it goes. Ho-ho, they have our measure now, if they had it not before! But I submit, master that we have to consider a little. Having lost their prisoner what will they do?" "Send hot-foot to the Frontier, and the ports," said Sir Nicholas. "True, master, and we take the Frontier road as far as Burgos." He shook his head. "Still very barful. But we will not be amort. We have the start of them, and they will not look for us at Vasconosa. Tarry here awhile, sir. No need to show yourself." He had stopped at a street turning. "I go to fetch the horses." He was back soon with two fine jennets, each with a light pack strapped to the saddle. "Boots, man!" said Sir Nicholas. "Have you my sword safe?" "Never doubt me, sir!" said Joshua complacently, unbuckling a pack. "Your boots are at hand. I have thought of everything. I am not one to be bestraught by disaster." He unearthed a pair of top-boots, caught up the shoon Sir Nicholas had kicked off, and stowed them away. The long boots were pulled on, the spurs swiftly fastened. Sir Nicholas vaulted lightly into the saddle. "On then, my Joshua!" He laughed, and Joshua saw that his eyes were alight. "A race for life this time!" he said, wheeled about, and drove in his heels. * * * * * The two sentries came panting back to the barracks, and to Cruza, feverishly awaiting them. "Gone, señor!" they gasped. "Fools! Dolts! He was in that coach!" "He was gone, señor." Cruza fell back. "Holy Virgin, witchcraft!" He hurried in to where his superior waited. Don Cristobal, unbound now, shaken, but composed, received him with a questioning lift of the brows. "Señor, he was not in the coach when the guards came up with it. It is witchcraft, foul devil's work!" Don Cristobal smiled contemptuously. "If you would say we have been finely tricked you speak nothing but the truth," he said acidly. "Would he sit still in the coach to await capture? Turn out the guard!" Cruza shot an order to a goggle-eyed sergeant, waiting close by. "Señor, can it be that it is El Beauvallet indeed?"