"Aye," said the man slowly; "someone is coming. And there are two rewards to be won in Taunton."
He released her arm, and still with his hand upon the latch, turned to confront the newcomer.
Barbara could do no more. With a sigh of desperation she sank into a chair and covered her face with her hands.
The door opened and Captain Protheroe appeared.
For a moment the two men stood staring at each other, then the truth flashed to the brain of the soldier and he made a spring forward to secure the pedlar. But the man was too quick for him; he darted through the already opened door, into the street, slamming the door behind him.
Captain Protheroe was about to follow, but recognising the hopeless folly of such action, he stopped, and having fastened the door turned to where Barbara sat, white and trembling.
"The fellow knew you?" he asked sharply.
"Yes, he was about to take me to the guardhouse," she answered, trembling.
"Good Heavens! why didn't you cry for help? We might have seized him perchance."
"I—I feared, an I did so, he would discover that you and Ralph were here," she stammered. "'Twould have undone all three. And Ralph——"