IX
And so we fared forth many a weary mile along the broad highway, lined with grassy banks, topped by——
“Hist!” remarked Diana.
“Oh,” said I, “my dear! You must not interrupt my description of the scenery. Pray, why hist?”
“Shadrach, Meschech and Abednego!” she averred, pointing to where three evil faces peered through three gaps in the hedgerow.
Ensued a scrambling rush of three dark figures, with upraised heavy sticks or bludgeons. One, snarling as was his wont, strode me-wards. I leapt lightly aside only to meet both the other weapons, which simultaneously descended upon my head. Instant blackness overwhelmed me, interspersed, however, with luminaries of dazzling hue. When I recovered consciousness, Diana was nowhere to be seen.