Colonel Blood was a man of too much influence about the king’s court not to have a number of spies and informers in his employ. When, therefore, he was returning from the scene at the Block House, disheartened and annoyed, he met with a person who recognised him. “Who hails me in the public streets at this time of the morning?” asked Blood, in a surly tone. “A friend,” was the reply. “Approach, and speak, then,” said the colonel, in a haughty tone. The stranger stepped forward towards Blood, and in an instant he was recognized by the colonel as one of his spies, an old gentlemanly-looking Jew. “What news to-night, Barnabas?” asked the colonel. “Good news!” answered the Jew. “And what is that, pray?” “I have been watching the doings of Ned Warbeck, his goings and comings, as you told me to do a month ago.” “Well, and with what success? Have you discovered anything?” “Yes, I think so.” “What?” “Why, I saw him and a young naval officer not more than half an hour ago, hand as pretty a lady out of a carriage as ever man’s eyes rested upon.” “Indeed! are you certain?” “I am; and, more than that, old Sir Richard conducted her into the mansion with much politeness and ceremony. “You did not, of course, learn her name?” “I did. I heard Ned Warbeck and his companion conversing together for a moment after she had gone into the house.” “Where were you then?” “Hiding in a doorway.” “And what said they?” “Ned Warbeck swore that the maid should be restored to her father without a moment’s delay; that she should start that very night to Darlington.” “Good!” said Blood; “fortune favors me still. I know the rest, and need not ask her name. It was Ellen Harmer.” “The very same,” answered Barnabas. “I thought so.” “But how could you have known that, colonel. I did not see you in the neighbourhood until now?” “I know it; but, nevertheless, I am perfectly aware of the fair one’s name, she has given me a vast amount of anxiety and trouble of late.” “Indeed! then I am fortunate in having made the discovery.” “Yes, Barnabas, you are. But, mark me, that girl must never be restored to her father.” “I do not understand you,” said the Jew. “I mean that she must never be allowed to return to her native village of Darlington. She has escaped from my protection, Barnabas, and I must have her back again, or else many unpleasant things might come to light.” “But how can you prevent it?” “Easily enough. Have they posted off with the girl already, think you?” “I know not. I left Sir Richard’s mansion but half-an-hour ago, but Ned Warbeck seemed to be in such a hurry and flurry about the pretty wench that I have no doubt they will not lose any time in transporting her to Darlington again.” “Fool that you were! Why did you not stop and watch Sir Richard’s mansion? In that case we could have been certain whether the wench had departed or not.” “If I had done so, colonel, I should not have met you.”