“WHEREAS, Ellen Harmer, the daughter of old Harmer, the miller, of Darlington, was forcibly abducted from her father’s home by some person or persons unknown, on the night of the attempted murder of young Andrew, her acknowledged suitor; “And whereas, it has come to the knowledge of Sir Richard Warbeck, the chief magistrate of Darlington, that two suspicious persons, with a carriage in attendance, were seen prowling about the village on the night in question; “Therefore the above reward will be paid to any one who shall give such information as shall lead to the apprehension of the offender or offenders and enable the young maiden to be restored to the arms of her disconsolate father. “The following particulars regarding the supposed unknown abductor may, perhaps, lead to his apprehension. “About 35 years of age, 5 feet 8 or 9 inches in height, thick set and powerfully made; black moustache, whiskers (supposed to be false), close cut hair, wore a cloak, and had the appearance of a military man.” For a moment or two old Bates could scarcely recover from his astonishment. At last he gasped out, and in a suppressed tone, “Why, they must relate to one and the same person, Jack.” “I know they do.” “But I never saw these proclamations on the walls about London yet.” “I dare say not, and for a very good reason why.” “What reason?” “Why, they were given to me to distribute them, and—” “You didn’t I suppose?” “Yes, I did, but only in such out-of-the-way places where they would do no earthly good.” For some time both men kept silent. “I understand it all,” said Bates, at last, “this person who is unknown you know?” “Yes.” “This gentleman none of us can guess at.” “You twig, I perceive.” “Yes, rather. He goes down, half murders the lover, and then throws him in the river; and, thinking he’s dead, runs off with the girl.” “Exactly.” “But she wasn’t rich?” “No, but she is very handsome; a perfect Venus.” “And what could have been his object?” “To gratify the king.” “I see; just so; and has he acted a friend to you?” “No, not to me in particular; but as he promised to befriend all of us, I kept the thing secret from the Londoners, for £500 isn’t to be sneezed at, you know.” “And do you mean to say that all this is true?” “Then he’s a villain of the worst sort.” “On my oath, Bates.” “I know he is now; and more than that I always suspected him, but never expected to find he’d prove such a cool, calculating scoundrel; but I’ll be even with him, trust me.” “And this girl—what of her?” said Bates; “we are all pretty hard up at this moment; two hundred pounds would be a fine windfall for us.” “So it would; and more than that, I know all about her and where she is.” “The devil!” “And it would be the easiest thing in the world to rescue her, for she’s pining away, and is strictly guarded both night and day by a deaf and dumb Nubian slave—a eunuch, in fact—a fierce, tall, ugly-looking devil.”