Directly after, at a word from Bunny, they stepped off the bed on to the soft turf, just as there was the rattle of a lock, the big door was thrown open, and a bright bar of light flashed across the lawn, while _clump, clump_, came the heavy footsteps of a couple of the soldiers marching through the porch. To go on seemed to Waller like courting danger; to stand still suggested the certainty of being seen; and giving Godfrey a thrust, he pressed onward, risking all, and following Bunny, who was hurrying in the direction of the forest. Over and over again Waller felt certain that they must be seen by the two men, whom he could make out as he glanced back, standing against the light that came through the porch, and he could hardly believe in their good fortune, as neither shout nor shot was sent in their direction, while a few minutes later they were threading their way amongst the trees. CHAPTER TWENTY ONE. THE ESCAPE. "Well, so far so good," said Bunny softly. "We are not likely to meet anybody in the hevenue, Master Waller, so that's the best going, and we will keep to that." "The soldiers will be all up at the Manor, but suppose anybody else is coming up from the village?" "If they was I should 'ear them, sir, before they 'eard me. We will step out, and when you think it best, Master Waller, you turn back, and make yourself easy. I'll see young squire here safe aboard brother Jem's boat some time to-morrow, so you had better say good-bye pretty sharp so as to be ready to slip off when you like. But what about that there money? Shall I tell brother Jem as I have it ready for him and his mates when he's set young squire here safe across?" "Yes, of course," cried Waller. "Pst!" whispered the man. "In among the trees!" and he caught hold of Godfrey's hand, dragging him through the bracken and bush, while in his excitement Waller took cover on the other side of the winding way. For all at once he was conscious of the flashing of two lights and the dull rattle of wheels coming through the deep sand of the road. Directly after the lights were illumining the big trunks of the fine old trees through which the track ran, and the boy's heart beat all the faster as through the open window of the post-chaise he caught a glimpse of the grey, stern-looking head of him whom he had expected so long. "Father!" he breathed to himself, and he stood gazing after the chaise till it had passed round another curve and the last gleam of the lights had disappeared. "Pst!" he whispered. "Bunny! Did you see that!" There was no reply, not a sound but the faint whirr of the wheels growing fainter moment by moment, and, confident now that he could not be seen, the boy left the shelter of the trees, crossed the road, and entered those on the other side beyond the broad strip of grass.