“True; no matter. I can soon arrange the matter to my satisfaction.” “I am glad to hear it.” “Are you a good horseman, Barnabas?” “Yes, an excellent rider.” “And can you disguise yourself well?” “Yes, colonel, with any one in all England.” “Do you know, then, where Darlington is?” “Yes, well.” “Then, on the instant, disguise yourself as anything you like—say a parson, for that character throws off most suspicion—disguise yourself, I say, and post off to Darlington as fast as horseflesh can carry you.” “But I have no money.” “You never have. I never knew a Jew in all my life who would ever confess to have more than sixpence if you wanted to borrow any without interest. Take this,” said Blood, “that will be sufficient for your purpose. If this wench is really on the road, watch her, and see where she goes to. If you do not find her on the road make your way to Darlington, and try to become friendly with her father, the old miller, and let me know from time to time how you get on and all you hear.” Barnabas left the colonel on the instant, and for a moment Blood appeared to be deeply buried in thought. “Ned Warbeck is out, eh? And there is no one of the family at home, save old Sir Richard and——Well, he isn’t much to think about, an old man like he is.” In a short time Colonel Blood hit upon a cool manner of proceeding. He directed his steps to a well-known gaming-house, where a company of genteel thieves and house-breakers were wont to assemble. His presence did not excite any surprise, for he was often seen in such company. In a short time, to use his own words “he gave the wink” to three or four of the better dressed, and left the place as if he had no other object than to lounge away half an hour or so. Four well-dressed fellows followed him. “Hello, my lads! are you up to any little game to-night?” “No, colonel.” “But are you ‘game’ to join me in a lark?” “Of course we are. What is it?” “There is a very pretty girl just gone into Sir Richard Warbeck’s mansion, and I want to get her into my possession as cleverly as possible.” “Just so. And how do you intend to proceed?” “Have you got any masks with you?” “Yes; we have not long returned from a masque ball.” “All right, then, we will call a carriage, and when we approach Sir Richard’s house, you four get out and hide the carriage round the corner. I will enter the mansion as if on business, and take good care to leave the door ajar. While I am talking to the old knight about his nephew, Ned, and the wild freaks he has been playing about town of late, you four enter, put on your masks, and if this pretty wench is not taken from the old knight’s abode in less than ten minutes, without noise, without causing any alarm or hubbub among the servants, I will have every one of you transported.” So saying, the carriage they had hired drew up round the corner, and Colonel Blood stepped forward toward the house.