“Look at that fellow. I do believe it’s that scoundrel, Charles Peace.”
The voice proceeded from one of the alcoves which were situated in the gardens of the public-house he was about to depart from, and Peace knew the tones of the speaker, who was a Sheffield detective, with whom he had been formerly acquainted. The celebrated exclamation of the Duke of Wellington of “Up, guards, and at them!” did not carry greater dismay to the enemy than did to Peace the words spoken by the Sheffield police-officer.
Peace endeavoured, successfully enough, it must be admitted, to alter the expression of his countenance as he stepped into the gig, but he was panic-stricken nevertheless, and for the moment all his fortitude appeared to desert him. He heard a movement, a shuffling of feet, a ringing of glasses proceed from the alcove in the garden. He did not wait to hear or see any more. He urged on Tommy, who answered by going at a rattling rate; the wheels flew round so fast that you could not see the spokes. Presently the driver came in sight of a steep hill, he turned round and observed in the distance two horsemen urging on their steeds to the utmost; they were enshrouded in a cloud of dust.
Peace grew sick and faint.
“Curses light on them!” cried he; “they are giving chase. One is Stackhouse as I’m a living man.”
There was no help for it; the pony had to be put out to the top of his speed.
Peace urged him on with a few sharp cuts of his whip and then by his voice, which had a much more powerful effect. The faithful creature seemed to comprehend that the hour of danger and trial had arrived, for it tore up the hill like a mad thing. The pursuers were perfectly astounded at the speed at which Peace was going.
“But we shall have him yet, Clayton—have him as sure as a gun.”
“My brute is panting and roaring like a blast furnace,” observed the party addressed. “I don’t think he’ll hold on if we come to another such a hill as this. Confound it, there doesn’t appear to be a level piece of ground in this locality.”
“Can’t be helped. We must have him.”