“And now what the deuce is to be done? They left at eight, you say? It is twelve now, and there is a train just starting, if I remember rightly; and it is too late to pursue them by this train; and there will not be another start until three o’clock, I think? At least such is my impression of the hours of the trains to Southampton, from looking over the time-table with young Spencer yesterday, before he went down to meet a friend who had come by the American steamer,” said the General. “Yes, you are quite right about the trains; and right also about the uselessness of attempting to pursue these madmen by rail. But I have telegraphed the police there to be on the lookout for them.” “And we can do nothing in the meantime?” “Nothing but wait patiently.” “Can we wait here?” inquired the General. “Certainly, if you can make yourselves comfortable, though it is not a pleasant place to ask you to sit down in.” “Thank you. We shall gladly avail ourselves of your kind permission. You see we are so very anxious on this subject, that we should like to be at hand when you receive an answer to your telegram. How long do you think it will be before you get it?” “Can’t say. If they received mine before the eight o’clock train from London reaches Southampton, they might have met the parties at the station and could have answered me immediately. If, however, the train reached there first, of course the parties might have got out and got off, and the officers would in that case have some trouble to look them up.” “So then you may get a telegram any moment now, or you may have to wait several hours,” said Dick. “Exactly,” replied the chief. “Then, uncle,” said Dick, perceiving that their presence in the office really annoyed or, at least, incommoded the civil officer, “I think we will adjourn to the White Swan, which is only a few steps from this, and wait there until Mr. Harding receives his telegram, when perhaps he will be kind enough to send us word of the news.” “Yes, certainly, if you prefer that arrangement, though you are quite welcome to remain here, if you can make yourselves comfortable where there are so many coming and going.” “I thank you, but we will go to the White Swan,” said the General, rising. But just then the clicking of the telegraph-wire in the adjoining office was heard, and the chief raised his hands, saying: “Be kind enough to stop. That may be the answer we expect now.” The General and Dick sat down and waited. A few minutes passed, and then a man entered from the telegraph office, and handed the chief a folded paper. “Yes; here it is!” said Mr. Harding, opening and reading: “_The parties reached here at ten o’clock and took the steamer for Guernsey at a quarter after. We wait orders._”