We halted for only a moment, pushing boldly through a thicket of young pines into the light. A lantern hung on the bough of a tall tree, and beneath it was a wide opening well carpeted with moss and needles. We peered off into the gloom, but saw nothing. D'ri blew out a thoughtful breath, looking up into the air coolly, as he filled his pipe. "Consarned if ever I wanted t' have a smoke s' bad 'n all my born days," he remarked. Then he moved his holster, turned his scabbard, and sat down quietly, puffing his pipe with some look of weariness and reflection. We were sitting there less than five minutes when we heard a footfall near by; then suddenly two men strode up to us in the dim light. I recognized at once the easy step, the long, lithe figure, of his Lordship in the dress of a citizen, saving sword and pistols. "Ah, good evening, gentlemen," said he, quietly. "How are you?" "Better than--than when we saw you last," I answered. D'ri had not moved; he looked up at me with a sympathetic smile. "I presume," said his Lordship, in that familiar, lazy tone, as he lighted a cigar, "there was--ah--good room for improvement, was there not?" "Abundant," said I, thoughtfully. "You were not in the best of health yourself that evening." "True," said he; "I--I was in bad fettle and worse luck." "How are the ladies?" "Quite well," said he, blowing a long puff. "Ready to deliver them?" I inquired. "Presently," said he. "There are--some formalities." "Which are--?" I added quickly. "A trifle of expenses and a condition," said he, lazily. "How much, and what?" I inquired, as D'ri turned his ear. "One thousand pounds," said his Lordship, quickly. "Not a penny more than this matter has cost me and his Majesty." "What else?" said I. "This man," he answered calmly, with a little gesture aimed at D'ri. My friend rose, struck his palm with the pipe-bowl, and put up his knife. "Ef ye're goin' t' tek me," said he, "better begin right off, er ye won't hev time 'fore breakfust."