"This is an escape indeed," said Todd.
"Yes," said Lupin, "you may depend that in a very little time there will be some officers at the Gate-House; but if we can get to the wood within the next half hour, I think we are safe enough. What do you think?"
"I think that if our safety depends upon getting into Caen Wood in half-an-hour, we ought to be there in half the time."
"Do you? Then come on for a run."
"Oh, dear," said Todd. "I am all aches and pains, and not at all fit for running; but I suppose I must. Don't go very fast, Mr. Lupin, or I shall never be able to keep up with you."
"Then you go first and run as fast as you can without greatly distressing yourself, and I will adopt my speed to yours."
"That will be better," said Todd.
Off they both set down Swains Lane, and as the first part of that well-known thoroughfare from Highgate to Hampstead goes down hill, they got on speedily with very little exertion; but when the foot of the little slope was reached it was quite another thing, and Todd was fast subsiding into a walk, when Lupin cried to him—
"We are pursued!"
At these words, Todd fell flat in the roadway.