"All's safe, all's serene," replied Miss Pett. "And you're in luck's way, for there's my nephew Christopher arrived from London, to help me about settling my affairs and removing my effects from this place, and he's a lawyer and'll give you good advice." Mallalieu growled a little. He had seen Mr. Christopher Pett and he was inclined to be doubtful of him. "Is he to be trusted?" he muttered. "I expect he'll have to be squared, too!" "Not beyond reason," replied Miss Pett. "We're not unreasonable people, our family. He's a very sensible young man, is Christopher. The late Kitely had a very strong opinion of his abilities." Mallalieu had no doubt of Mr. Christopher Pett's abilities in a certain direction after he had exchanged a few questions and answers with that young gentleman. For Christopher was shrewd, sharp, practical and judicial. "It's a very dangerous and--you'll excuse plain speaking under the circumstances, sir--very foolish thing that you've done, Mr. Mallalieu," he said, as he and the prisoner sat closeted together in the still shuttered and curtained parlour-bedroom. "The mere fact of your making your escape, sir, is what some would consider a proof of guilt--it is indeed! And of course my aunt--and myself, in my small way--we're running great risks, Mr. Mallalieu--we really are--great risks!" "Now then, you'll not lose by me," said Mallalieu. "I'm not a man of straw." "All very well, sir," replied Christopher, "but even if you were a millionaire and recompensed us on what I may term a princely scale--not that we shall expect it, Mr. Mallalieu--the risks would be extraordinary--ahem! I mean will be extraordinary. For you see, Mr. Mallalieu, there's two or three things that's dead certain. To start with, sir, it's absolutely impossible for you to get away from here by yourself--you can't do it!" "Why not?" growled Mallalieu. "I can get away at nightfall." "No, sir," affirmed Christopher stoutly. "I saw the condition of the moors last night. Patrolled, Mr. Mallalieu, patrolled! By men with lights. That patrolling, sir, will go on for many a night. Make up your mind, Mr. Mallalieu, that if you set foot out of this house, you'll see the inside of Norcaster Gaol before two hours is over!" "What do you advise, then?" demanded Mallalieu. "Here!--I'm fairly in for it, so I'll tell you what my notion was. If I can once get to a certain part of Norcaster, I'm safe. I can get away to the Continent from there." "Then, sir," replied Christopher, "the thing is to devise a plan by which you can be conveyed to Norcaster without suspicion. That'll have to be arranged between me and my aunt--hence our risks on your behalf." "Your aunt said she'd a plan," remarked Mallalieu.