374 THE SMUGGLER. 



" That somewhat alters the case, indeed;" answered Layton ; 

 "but it must not alter my conduct. I am, indeed, in haste, 

 Digby, for I hope, ere two or three hours are over, to send 

 the young scoundrel, for whose sake all this is done, a prisoner 

 to the gaol. Mowle has somehow got information of where 

 he is, from undoubted authority, he says; and we are away to 

 Iden Green, in consequence. We shall get more information 

 by the way; and I go with the party for a certain distance, in 

 order to be at hand, in case of need ; but, as it does not do for 

 me, in my position, to take upon me the capture of half-a- 

 dozen smugglers, the command of the party will rest with 

 Cornet Joyce. We will deal with Mr. Eadford, the father, 

 afterwards. But, in the mean time, Digby, as your information 

 certainly gives a different view of the case, from that which I 

 had before taken, you will greatly oblige me if you can contrive 

 to ride over to Mr. Croyland's, and see if you can find Mr. 

 Warde there. Beg him to let me have the directions he pro- 

 mised, by four o'clock to*day ; and if you do not find him, leave 

 word to that effect, with Mr. Croyland himself." 



" You seem to place great faith in Warde," said Sir Edward 

 Digby, shaking his head. 



" I have cause, I have cause, Digby," answered his friend. 

 " But I must go, lest this youth escape me again." 



" Well, God speed you, then !" replied Digby. " I will go 

 to Mr. Croyland at once, and can contrive, I dare say, to get 

 back to Harbourne by breakfast time. It is not above t\vo or 

 three miles round, and I will go twenty at any time, to serve 

 you, Layton." 



Sir Edward Digby found good Mr. Zachary Croyland walk- 

 ing about in his garden, in a state of irritation indescribable. 

 He, also, was aware, by this time, of what had befallen his 

 niece ; and such was his indignation, that he could scarcely find 

 it in his heart to be even commonly civil to any one. On Sir 

 Edward Digby delivering his message, as he found that Mr. 

 Warde was not there, the old gentleman burst forth, exclaim- 

 ing, " What have I to do with Warde, sir, or you friend either, 

 sir? Your friend's a fool! He might have walked out of 

 that door with Edith Croyland in his hand ; and that's no light 

 prize, let me tell you; but he chose to be delicate, and gentle- 

 manly, and all that sort of stupidity, and you see what has 

 come of it. And now, forsooth, he sends over to ask advice 



