Chapter Forty One.
The Attempt at Rescue.
Frank’s eyes took all this in, and then turned dim with the emotion he felt, and for a few moments everything seemed to swim round him. His horse, however, needed no guiding; it kept pace with its companion, and the lad’s emotional feeling passed off as he found himself in presence of the officer in command of the escort and his subordinates, a warm greeting taking place between Captain Murray and the principal officer, an old friend.
“Don’t seem regular, Murray; but with this note from the Prince, I suppose I shall be held clear if you have come to help the prisoners escape,” said the officer lightly.
“Escape!” said Captain Murray sharply.
“No, no; nonsense, old fellow,” said the dragoon officer merrily. “Of course I was bantering you.”
“Yes, I know,” said Captain Murray quickly; “but we were stopped by a couple of mounted men a quarter of a mile back.”
“Highway men?”
“I thought so at first; but they challenged us for a password.”
“Well! These fellows work hand and glove.”