"I've thought of that, too," interrupted Sir Richard, now all haste. "It's part of my plan already arranged. But it will take a little time to procure this reason, so that it may appear plausible--the time it will take a man, mounted on a good horse, to gallop to Coleford and back." "I don't quite comprehend you, Colonel. For what purpose this galloping to Coleford?" "To get news from Gloucester--telling us it is threatened by Rupert." The Governor gave a start, as if actually being told it was so. Then, recovering himself, as he saw the smile on Sir Richard's face, at the same time catching the purport of his dubious words, he smiled, too, admiringly upon the soldier knight, as he rejoined,-- "An admirable idea! It will do! But, as you say, Colonel, there must be no time lost. The messenger must be despatched at once. So let us back to High Meadow House." Saying which, he started off down the hill. Sir Richard was about to follow when his big sergeant, who had been all the while standing near, stepped up to him, and saluting, said,-- "There be a woman as wants a word wi' ye, Colonel." "A woman! Who, Rob?" "Cadger Jack's sister." "Where is she?" "A little ways down the lane. I didn't like bringin' she up, fears you or the Governor mightn't wish bein' intruded on. Besides, her business be more wi' yerself, Colonel." "Well, Wilde," half jocularly returned the knight, "your discretion seems on a par with your valour. But let us down, and hear what the cadgeress has to say. If it be a question of squaring the market account, you can take that upon yourself. I give you _carte blanche_ to settle scores; and if they've brought back groceries, you may distribute them among the men." "It bean't nothin' o' that Win want to speak ye about?" "What is it, then? You seem, to know." "There be herself, Colonel. Her can tell you better'n me." He pointed to the Forest Amazon, who but a short distance below stood by the trunk of a tree, from behind which she had just stepped, Massey having passed without seeing her. "Well, Mistress Winifred," said the knight, when near enough to commence conversation, "my sergeant tells me you've something to say." "Only a word, your honour; an' I be's most feered to speak it, since it ant a pleasant one." "Out with it, anyhow." "Him be wounded." "Who?" "The young officer as wor took at Hollymead--Captain Trevor." "Ha! Wounded, too! Who told you that?" "'Twor all about Monnerth the day, wheres him be in prison. I tried get a chance to speak wi' he, but couldn't, bein' watched by the sodgers roun' the Castle." "Did you hear whether his wound be serious?" "No, Sir Richard; nothin' more than that it wor from a gunshot, an' had laid he up. Hope it won't signify no great deal; but I thought it better you be told o't fores it reach the young lady at Gloster--so's yer honour might break it to her a bit easier."