"I do not perceive those berries!" she said lightly.
"No, miss," was the immediate response. "They are just a step into the wood. If you care to dismount here I can show you."
Nothing could be more respectful than the man's tone. Diana shook off her nervous qualms and slipped down. Harper, already on the ground, took the cob's rein and tied both horses to a tree.
Diana gathered her skirts over her arm and picked her way through the brambles to where he had pointed.
The blackberry hedges he held back for her entrance swung back after they had passed, completely shutting out all view of the road. There were no berries.
Diana's heart was beating very fast, all her suspicions springing to life again, but she showed no sign of fear as she desired him to hold the brambles back again for her to pass out.
"For there are no berries here, as you can see for yourself."
She swept round and walked calmly towards the bushes.
Then, how she could never quite remember, she was seized from behind, and before she had time to move, a long piece of silk was flung over her head and drawn tight across her mouth, while an arm, as of steel, held and controlled her.
Fighting madly, she managed to get one arm free, and struck out furiously with her slender crop. There was a brief struggle, and it was twisted from her grasp, and her hands tied behind her, despite all her efforts to be free.