“’Tis the king,” said Ellen Harmer, “I was told so to-night.”
“No, no——.”
“It is not the king,” said Jack, again telling a lie, “because if he were he would not give me that signet ring he now wears, as you will see presently.”
The king smiled, and, taking off his signet ring, gave it to Captain Jack.
“I told you it was not the king, fair one,” said Jack, lightly laughing, “for if it had been he would not have so humbled himself; besides, lassie, the king would never think of insulting a poor defenceless girl.”
As he spoke these words, Captain Jack left the room, and as he departed, said to the king,
“Stay you here for at least twenty minutes; if you move I will not be answerable for your life.”
He closed the door, and carrying his lovely burden lightly on one arm, made the best of his way into the garden.
As he did so, he heard the alarm given by old Bates and others outside.
Old Bates and his companion watchers whistled very shrilly, and so loud did they become, that Captain Jack and his companions, with their treasure, hurried towards the river bank.