But after a time Sir Henry shuddered and opened his eyes, smiling affectionately in his child’s face, and, as he realised their position, he said something to her in a low voice.
They had all been so long occupied in watching for the recovery of Sir Henry that Hilary had had time to regain breath and some of his strength, and now the knowledge of his own position came back to him. He had escaped from the net, and voluntarily returned to it to save Adela. Her he had saved, and also her father. Now it was time to save himself, and, jumping up, he gave a hasty glance round.
“No, you don’t!” said a hoarse voice. “You’re my prisoner.” And Allstone seized him by his wet jacket.
Hilary was weak yet with his struggle in the water, but the dread of being once more a prisoner gave him strength, and, striking up the arm, he made for the bridge to cross once more for liberty; but a couple of men coming from the other direction, having just heard the alarm, cut off his retreat, and, exhausted as he was, he did not hesitate for an instant, but plunged once more into the moat.
Chapter Twenty Eight.
A Race for Liberty.
It was a question of time.
Could Hilary get across the moat before the men who ran off to stop him reached the bridge, crossed, then ran along the other side?