Yet when he got into the open air again he could not but laugh heartily at the success of his plans. He went towards the palace, and there it was that he encountered Ned Warbeck, Lieutenant Garnet, and Bob Bertram, of which we have spoken in another place. But what became of Barnabas the Jew the next chapter will show. CHAPTER XLVIII. A ROUGH RECEPTION—THE JEW ON HIS TRAVELS—ANDY, THE MANIAC LOVER, MEETS BARNABAS. In selecting Barnabas as an especial messenger to Darlington, Colonel Blood showed good judgment, for on more than one occasion the Jew had ridden eighty miles in ten hours. But Ellen’s friends had also selected a swift messenger, and a much faster one than the Jew could ever prove to be. The messenger was nothing else than a carrier pigeon. In those days, when coaches were slow and letters unsafe for robbers, gentlemen always had by them a number of trained pigeons, who carried messages to and from their country seats. When, therefore, Sir Richard had found out who Ellen Harmer really was, he wrote a note, sent Tim up to the dormer to catch a pigeon, and, having tied the note to its neck, he threw it off, and away it went with lightning speed to its favourite home—Darlington Hall. Hence the Jew had not gone far on his journey, when the pigeon, with its important message, arrived at Darlington Hall. It was speedily caught, and the note, as directed, was immediately delivered to Miller Harmer, and read thus:— “MY DEAR FRIEND HARMER,—I am happy to inform you that, through the agency of my young scapegrace nephew, Ned Warbeck, we have discovered your daughter Ellen, who was abducted some time ago. Come up to town at once, as speedily as possible, for business of great importance demands it. “Yours in haste, “RICHARD WARBECK. “P.S.—Do not, on any account, whisper a word of your business to any one, but maintain the strictest silence in the village and on the road. R. W.” Miller Harmer, the same hour in which the note arrived, mounted the fleetest horse at Darlington Hall, and set out on his journey to London at a giddy gallop. He passed the disguised Jew upon the road, who asked the way to Darlington. “Do you know any one in the village of the name of Harmer?” asked the Jew. “Yes, I do,” answered the miller, with a wicked twinkle in his eye. “Why do you ask?” “He lost a daughter once?” “He did.” “Yes, poor man, it was a great affliction, wasn’t it?” “No doubt,” said the miller, biting his lips. “Are you journeying to Darlington with any news of her?” “Yes; that is to say, I thought I’d call and inform her father that she is well, happy and married.” “Very kind of you, certainly,” said the miller. “Which is his house?” “Down by the mill-dam.” “Do you think he would give me a warm reception?” “No doubt of it, he couldn’t do otherwise to one who has put himself out of the way to oblige him as you have.” “Thank you, good day,” said the Jew.