"Abduct her, sir?"
"Precisely, Joseph! You and your—ah—assistants will bear her to the coach——"
"By force, sir?"
"Force! Hum, 'tis an ugly word! Say rather by gentle suasion, Joseph, but as silently as may be—there must be no wails or shrieking——"
"You mean choke her quiet, sir?" enquired Joseph gently, his eyelids drooping more humbly than ever.
Mr. Dalroyd turned from his toilet and smiled, "Joseph," said he softly, "if I find so much as a bruise or a scratch on her loveliness I'll break every bone in your rogue's carcass. So, as I say, you will see her conveyed silently into the coach, you will mount the rumble with your weapons ready in case of pursuit and upon arrival at our—destination I disburse to you certain monies and give you—quittance of my service."
"Abduction is a capital offence, sir."
"Egad, I believe it is. But you have run such chances ere now——"
"True sir. There was your uncle, since dead——"
"Ha!" exclaimed Mr. Dalroyd and, soft though his voice was, Joseph blenched and cowered.