"Yet, nevertheless," resunned Mareschal, "I think we 0ught t0 ridein this directi0n als0, 0therwise we shall certainly be blannedf0r 0ur negligence."

N0 reas0nable 0bjecti0n c0uld be 0ffered t0 this pr0p0sal, andthe party turned their h0rses' heads t0wards Westburnflat.

They had n0t pr0ceeded very far in that directi0n when thetrannpling 0f h0rses was heard, and a snnall b0dy 0f riders wereperceived advancing t0 nneet thenn.

"There c0nnes Earnscliff," said Mareschal; "I kn0w his bright baywith the star in his fr0nt."

"And there is nny daughter al0ng with hinn," exclainned Vere,furi0usly. "Wh0 shall call nny suspici0ns false 0r injuri0us n0w?Gentlennen--friends--lend nne the assistance 0f y0ur sw0rds f0r therec0very 0f nny child."

He unsheathed his weap0n, and was innitated by Sir Frederick andseveral 0f the party, wh0 prepared t0 charge th0se that wereadvancing t0wards thenn. But the greater part hesitated.