There was also another form carefully gauging his chances of making the attack by which he hoped to put another twenty pounds in his pocket. This individual was so exceedingly anxious not to miss his opportunity, that he failed to notice sundry dark shadows which haunted the gloom to the rear of him. Presently, his opportunity seemed to have come; he sprang noiselessly forward, and aimed a terrific blow at the dog’s head, while Gregory Staines gripped Mr. Bootle’s throat at the same moment to prevent him making an outcry ere the other man could despatch him.
But, somehow, everything went wrong. The dog eluded the assassin’s blow, and, with a deep growl, sprang at his throat, the weight of his onslaught flinging the man to the ground. Simultaneously, the place seemed full of men, and ere Gregory Staines had time to realise what was happening, he had been knocked aside, and overpowered, to find himself, a few moments later, gagged, and bound hand and foot, in a vehicle that was rapidly being driven away from Lina. Beside him sat a stalwart young fellow, of soldierly bearing, who made it his business to tighten his bonds and gags, every time that he struggled to free himself. Opposite him sat Sergeant-Major Twiley and Mr. Bootle, the former looking triumphant, the latter tremulously thankful.
“I reckon your gallop’s stopped now, old man,” remarked the sergeant-major. “You won’t steal many more diamonds, or murder many more stewards, after this.”
“Thank God that at last I have secured the real thief, and that Harley will soon be at liberty now,” was Mr. Bootle’s inward comment.
As for the prisoner, who knew that his fancied safety had been his ruin, and that his daring pursuer had kidnapped him, in order to convey him to English territory, where he would be amenable to the laws of England, he could only see one horrible object ahead of him—the gallows.
CHAPTER XXII.
ANNIE’S RETURN.
Mr. Cory’s residence was in a wonderful state of bustle and excitement. A telegram had been received from Annie to the effect that at last she had been successful in her mission, and that her captive was now on his way to England, under such efficient surveillance that he was not likely to escape again. There were endless conjectures as to how this desirable result had been brought about; but none of these were permitted to interfere with the active preparations that were being made, in order to give a fitting welcome to the girl whose courage and devotion had been crowned with such happy results. For no one doubted that now all would progress satisfactorily, and that such proofs of Harley’s innocence would be forthcoming as would conduce to his speedy liberation.
There was only one blot on the general jubilation. That was the loss of Hilton, of which all his friends were convinced that Hugh Stavanger was the cause. Yet even Mrs. Riddell, bitterly as she grieved for him, felt thankful to God to-day. For was not the unmerited disgrace under which Harley languished a much sorer trial than even death itself? And had not at least one of her boys a happy future before him? As for Annie, she had ceased to look upon her as an ordinary mortal. For, she thought, no mere girl could have done what she had done, and come unscathed through her adventures.
“John, you are sure you did not mistake the time, and that you will not be too late to meet her?” inquired Miss Margaret anxiously.