In it was Captain Blower, who gave utterance to a whoop which would have done credit to a Piute Indian on the war-path.
This cry startled Jack's horse, which started off at top speed.
Jack endeavored to rein him in, but the bridle broke, and he was utterly powerless to control or guide the maddened animal.
Some one had evidently tampered with the rein, half cutting it in two.
The gate of the park was drawing near, and Jack became very nervous, for if he got thrown on the hard road he would be killed.
Fortunately, the horse swerved and dashed across the sand-hills on the left, plowing up to his knees, and greatly diminishing his speed.
At length his rider saw a chance of throwing himself off in a soft place, and did so.
The horse came to a stop a little further on.
Jack walked up and examined the bridle, which, as he suspected, had been cut.
"Lord Maltravers's agents again. I cannot trust that man," he muttered. "It will be best to have him arrested to-night, at the theatre. I do not see why I should keep faith with him."