"Because, tho' a desperate chance, 'tis worth risking. Zounds! man, you don't think. What hope have two women and a man weak with fever of escaping the royal troops? Practically none, unless I can buy free pardons for all and a safe conduct into Holland from Jeffreys."
The women being now ready to set out, Captain Protheroe went with them to the door at the back of the house, from whence a short labyrinth of streets led to one of the gates of the town.
There he turned to the girl who stood beside him, her dark eyes gleaming in the shadow of her hood. It was a crimson hood and reminded him of the night he first met her in the country lane at Durford.
"Good-bye, Mistress Barbara," he said wistfully.
A sudden fear awoke in her eyes.
"But you will come after us, you will see me again?" she cried quickly.
"Assuredly, Mistress Barbara," he answered softly; "if there be pity in Heaven I shall see you again."
She looked at him doubtfully, but urged him no more.
"God keep you," she said gently.
Captain Protheroe watched them disappear in the darkness. But he failed to note a dark figure flit from the shadow of a neighbouring house, and follow them on their way.