“Yes, Barnabas, you are. But, mark me, that girl must never be restored to her father.”
“I do not understand you,” said the Jew.
“I mean that she must never be allowed to return to her native village of Darlington. She has escaped from my protection, Barnabas, and I must have her back again, or else many unpleasant things might come to light.”
“But how can you prevent it?”
“Easily enough. Have they posted off with the girl already, think you?”
“I know not. I left Sir Richard’s mansion but half-an-hour ago, but Ned Warbeck seemed to be in such a hurry and flurry about the pretty wench that I have no doubt they will not lose any time in transporting her to Darlington again.”
“Fool that you were! Why did you not stop and watch Sir Richard’s mansion? In that case we could have been certain whether the wench had departed or not.”
“If I had done so, colonel, I should not have met you.”
“True; no matter. I can soon arrange the matter to my satisfaction.”
“I am glad to hear it.”