CHAPTER FIFTY SEVEN.
A CRIME IN CONTEMPLATION.
Still self-invited, Rupert accompanied the ladies to the house, andassisted them to dismount with great show of courtesy and respect. Thelittle ruffle with Vaga had determined him not to try on that tackagain.
He did not go inside with them, having some directions to give to hissuite, seen approaching up the avenue. Besides, it was nearing dinnerhour, and they must needs repair to their dressing-rooms.
Left by himself, the Prince seemed all impatience for his escort to comeup. He had even shown haste when helping the ladies out of theirsaddles, as if wishing to be disembarrassed of them with the leastdelay. Some new thought, or scheme, had evidently entered his mind; andrecently, or since despatching Trevor with the order to Lunsford, asthen he had said nothing about time.
When they were near enough to hear him he called out, making a sign tothe officer at their head to hasten them on. This was Lunsford himself,who, perceiving that something was wanted, separated from the cavalcade,spurring his horse to a quick canter. As the haw-haw gate had alreadybeen opened, he passed through it without. Stop or interruption, on tothe house.
"Come up--nearer!" said the Prince, speaking low, and in a cautiousmanner as if he feared being overheard. He was standing in the porch, alittle elevated above the ground, and as the other drew alongside,seated in the saddle, their heads were close enough for conversing inwhispers.
"What is it, your Highness?" asked Lunsford, wondering at the air ofmystery.
"I suppose Trevor has told you the _pater_ isn't at home?"
"He has, Prince; but I knew it before."
"Indeed! How learnt you? When?"
"Just after your Highness rode away from us. One of Powell's people, asort of shepherd, or cowboy, chanced to be coming into the park; andwith a little cross-questioning I got out of him, both the fact of hismaster's absence, and the whereabouts."
"He's at Gloucester."
"Yes, Prince. But the affair of Monmouth will draw him home, soon as hereceives news of it. He should have had that long ago; so may beexpected here at any moment."
"Just so. But if he get word of our being here before him, he may turnback and give us the go-by. So I want half a dozen files detached, andsent off along the Gloucester road, under a trusty officer, in allhaste. If they meet him, he's to be made prisoner at once."
"It's already done, your Highness."
"What! Has Powell been taken?"
"No, Prince; pardon me. I meant the detachment has been sent tointercept him. I took the liberty of doing that without your orders.There was not time to communicate with your Highness, unless at the riskof being too late."
"True, Colonel, true."
"And it would have been too late," he went on to explain injustification of his act. "As your Highness started to join the hawkingparty, perhaps you may not have noticed a man separating from it, andriding back through the trees?"
"_Nein_, Colonel. I did not."
"But I did, Prince. He appeared to be one of their attendants--agroom--though in the distance one couldn't be sure what. But from theway he went off I suspected it had something to do with our being seen.Soon as I learnt the other thing, I was sure of it. Besides, shortlyafter he had passed out of sight behind the firs, I distinctly heardhoof-strokes, as of a horse in full gallop. Putting that and thattogether it occurred to me he might have gone off to give the verywarning your Highness apprehended."
"If such were his intent, he may still?"
"No, Prince; not likely. He won't be in time. Going out by a back gatehe'll have to ride the whole round of the park before he can get uponthe Drybrook road, which is that for Gloucester. The detachment startedonly a few minutes--less than five--after; and on the direct route willeasily head him off. They have orders to lay him by the heels, andbring him back here; it's to be hoped the other with him."
"_Gott_, Colonel! you've been clever. A capital stroke of strategy. Ifit fail, I shan't blame you."
"Your Highness's approval gratifies me. I think we need not fearfailure. At all events the messenger, if such he is, will be stopped,and something will be squeezed out of him as to his errand. I gaveinstructions that a file be sent back with him, soon as taken. So wemay expect seeing him ere long. I suppose your Highness designs toquarter here for the night?"
"Any number of nights, Colonel, if one be not enough for accomplishingmy purpose."
"Half a one will be enough for that, Prince, if you proceed toaccomplishing it in the way I would advise you. No timid measures willavail here; only the bold course, which conquest gives a right to, allover the world."
Without a blush did the ruffian give utterance to his atrociouscounsels; for he knew they were congenial to him into whose ears he waspouring them.
"Belike, that will be the best way," rejoined the Prince, well knowingwhat was hinted at. "I come to be of your mind, Colonel. But now,return to the escort. Give directions for their going into quarters.See that sentries are set round the house, with outlying pickets. Wecannot be too careful, though Monmouth is in our hands. When you haveeverything settled, come to me inside. Then we can talk about furtheraction."
Light of heart, Lunsford proceeded to the execution of the orders thusgiven. By the Prince's manner--and speech, half admitting--he saw thatthe latter had received a rebuff, and was in the mood for violence, evento outrage. It would be nothing new to him; nor the first time for theex-Lieutenant of the Tower to be his aid and companion in such acriminal escapade as that they were now contemplating.
Verily were Ambrose Powell's daughters in danger! And a danger neitherhad conception or suspicion of.