It had been carefully and neatly folded, but the boy had probably soiled and rumpled it through carelessness.
It contained the following words:
“Robert Ellerton:—
“Be on your guard to-day. Do not go beyond the reach of help without the means of self-defense, for danger lurks in your path!
“A Friend.”
Mr. Ellerton curled his lips in a scornful smile, as if he did not fully credit the writer’s story. Nevertheless he turned and went within the hotel, back up into his room, and slipped a couple of loaded pistols into his breast-pocket.
When he appeared below again the groom stood waiting with his horse.
He mounted, and, putting his spurs to the animal, galloped swiftly away in the direction of the cliffs which we have before mentioned, and in the recesses of which our hapless hero was imprisoned.
Mr. Ellerton thought if he could gain the summit of these cliffs he should have a splendid view of the surrounding country.
As he slowly ascended the side of the rugged cliffs, he began to ponder upon the strange warning he had received. Who could have written it? Who was there in all the country who knew him familiarly enough to call him Robert Ellerton?