THE SMUGGLER. 255 



The conclusion of Mrs. Barbara's field-day was perhaps the 

 most signal achievement of all. Breakfast had come to an 

 end, though the meal had been somewhat protracted ; and the 

 party were just lingering out a few minutes before they rose, 

 still talking on the subject of the skirmish of that morning, 

 when the good lady thought fit to remark: "Well, we may 

 guess for ever; but we shall soon know more about it; for I 

 dare say we shall have Mr. Radford over here before an hour 

 is gone, and he must know if the goods were his." 



This seemed to startle, nay, to alarm Sir Robert Croyland. 

 He looked round with a sharp, quick turn of his head, and 

 then rose at once, saying, " Well, whether he comes or not, 

 I must go out and see about a good many things. Would 

 you like to take a ride, Sir Edward Digby, or what will you 

 do?" 



" Why, I think I must stay here for the present," replied 

 the young baronet; "I may have a summons unexpectedly, 

 and ought not to be absent." 



"Well, you will excuse me, I know," answered his enter- 

 tainer. " I must leave my sister and Zara to amuse you for 

 an hour or two, till I return." 



Thus saying, and evidently in a great bustle, Sir Robert 

 Croyland quitted the room and ordered his horse. But just 

 as the three whom he had left in the breakfast-room were 

 sauntering quietly towards the library Sir Edward Digby cal- 

 culating by the way how he might best get rid of Mrs. Bar- 

 bara, in order to enjoy the fair Zara's company undisturbed 

 they came upon the baronet at the moment when he was en- 

 countered by one of his servants bringing him some unpleasant 

 intelligence. "Please, Sir Robert," said the man, with a 

 knowing wink of the eye, " all the horses are out." 



"Out!'' cried the baronet, with a look of fury and con- 

 sternation. " What do you mean by out, fellow?" 



"Why, they were taken out of the stable last night, sir,'' 

 replied the man. " I dare say you know where they went; 

 and they have not come back again yet." 



" Pray, have mine been taken also?" demanded Sir Edward 

 Digby, very well understanding what sort of an expedition 

 Sir Robert Croyland 's horses had gone upon. 



"Oh! dear, no, sir," answered the man; "your servant 

 keeps the key of that stable himself, sir." 



