Henry looked round, and saw some horsemen scouring along the muir, at a considerable distance, in the direction of Riddlestain. Throwing himself down on the heath to avoid being seen, he remained in that position for a few minutes, and by the time he again lifted his head, his Mentor was a considerable distance from him, working his progress forwards, on his hands and knees, with great effort. The next moment a hand was on his shoulder, and he shuddered with terror. "I'm maybe owre late," said the beadsman. "Quick, quick?--Blackburn and his hounds are awa' to Riddlestain wi' a warrant to apprehend you." Henry followed the beadsman, who hurried on towards Falconcleugh. "Now for your choice," said he. "Auld Mansie was giein ye counsel, maybe, to stay and stand your doom. What say ye--flight or flaught, an exile or an eizel?" "I am unresolved," replied the youth. "And by the faith o' the auld kirk, ye hae muckle time to ponder. See!--see! the bloodhounds have changed their course; their scent lies this way." "I am lost!" ejaculated the young man. "It maun be!--it maun be!" responded the beadsman, as he stood by the dark walls of Falconcleugh mansion, and seemed to hesitate. "There's naeither mean. Here, here," he continued, as he descended some steps, and taking Henry by the arm, hurried him down, and then applied a key to a low door of the mansion, which he opened. "There, there," he muttered, as he pushed the youth into a dark chamber. "I will turn their muzzles to the south." The door was shut, and Henry immediately after heard the loud call of some horsemen, inquiring of the beadsman whether he had not with him a companion. "Beggars hae short acquaintanceships," replied the bluegown. "The word awmous severs good company. Wha are ye after wi' the loose rein and the bloody spur?" "Henry Leslie, younger, of Riddlestain," replied one of the men. "Whither has he gone?" "My een lack now their former licht," replied the beadsman, "but if ye, wha are younger, look weel to the east, ye'll see something yonder thicker, I ween, than a munebeam. Ye ken what I mean. Ane wha has got an awmous frae his father canna speak plainer, even to the friends o' the auld kirk." "Well said, old Carey," cried the men, as they set forth with redoubled speed in the direction pointed out by the beggar.