The sounds of pursuers became fainter and more distant. "If we go through Liskeard at this speed we shall attract attention, and if the people be following us, they will be informed of the direction we have taken." "But we will not touch Liskeard," I said. "I know the country well now. If you will tell me where you wish to go I will guide you by the least traversed roads." "Go to Lostwithiel then," she said; "after that I will act as guide." Wondering at her words, I led the way through the village of St. Cleer, leaving Liskeard on our left, until after more than two hours' hard riding we came to the village of Boconnoc. Arrived here, I stopped suddenly, for a suspicion entered my mind as to the place she intended to go. "Look you, my lady," I said, "we are at Boconnoc, five miles only from Lostwithiel; will you tell me of your intended destination?" "You said you would trust me," was her reply. "I remember," I cried, harshly I am afraid, because for the first time since boyhood the feeling of jealousy made me almost beside myself. "But let me ask you one question. Is it your intention to go to Polperro?" "And if I do not desire to go there?" she said, after hesitating a few seconds, "what then?" "I will go with you whither you will, asking no questions." "But you do not desire to go to Polperro?" I was silent, but I hoped that she understood my feelings. "In three hours, four at the most, we ought to be at our journey's end if we ride hard," she said, "until then I ask you to trust me." With this I was fain to be content, and almost ashamed of myself, we continued to ride southward. An hour later I saw that my suspicions were groundless. We were going away from Polperro. After we had passed Lostwithiel I asked her to be the guide, but she told me to lead on to St. Austell, after which she would choose the road. About two hours after dark we entered a part of the country that was strange to me, but my guide evidently knew the road well, for in spite of the darkness she never hesitated as to the way we should take. Presently we came to a lane, down which we rode for some distance, and then stopped at a small house, which in the darkness looked to me like a lodge. No sooner did we stop than a light shone, and a minute later I heard a gate swing on rusty hinges. "All well?" "All well," was the reply, which I judged was spoken by an old man. We passed through the open way, after which I heard some one lock the gates. By this time the sky, which had been cloudy all day, cleared. There was no moon, but the stars shone clearly overhead. As well as I could I looked around me, and saw that we were riding along what seemed to me a disused carriage drive. Huge trees bordered the way, the branches of which nearly met overhead. The leaves were far from fully grown, however; and thus looking upward I could see the stars twinkling.